How far is Bedford, IA from Waterloo, IA?
The driving distance from Bedford, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 230.2 miles (370.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 176.1 miles (283.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 54m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A city in Polk County, Iowa.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bedford and Waterloo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bedford and Waterloo.
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1
Start on Madison Street
696 ft · 14 sec · Madison Street
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2
Turn right onto Pearl Street
2337 ft · 47 sec · Pearl Street
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3
Keep slight left to continue on Pearl Street
670 ft · 13 sec · Pearl Street
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4
Continue on County Road N44
2035 ft · 41 sec · County Road N44
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5
Turn right onto State Highway 2
12.6 mi · 19 min · State Highway 2
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6
Continue on State Highway 2
2.5 mi · 4 min · State Highway 2
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7
Continue on State Highway 2
33.6 mi · 49 min · State Highway 2
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8
Take the ramp left
1576 ft · 38 sec
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9
Merge slight left
73.1 mi · 1 hr 20 min
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10
Keep slight left
4.5 mi · 5 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
2428 ft · 1 min
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12
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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13
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
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14
Turn left onto Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
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15
Continue on South Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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16
Continue on 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
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17
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
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18
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
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19
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
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20
Continue on County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
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21
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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22
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
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23
Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
2388 ft · 58 sec
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24
Merge slight left
18 mi · 21 min
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25
Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Sergeant Road
3054 ft · 1 min
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26
Turn slight right
37 m · 6 sec
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27
Turn straight onto Sergeant Road
3.8 mi · 6 min · Sergeant Road
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28
Turn right onto University Avenue
118 m · 9 sec · University Avenue
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29
Turn straight
1708 ft · 45 sec
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30
Turn right
617 ft · 10 sec
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31
Continue on Washington Street
1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street
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32
Turn right onto West 4th Street
23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bedford and Waterloo.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Highway 2
Merge slight left
73.1 mi · 01h 20m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Bedford and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waterloo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bedford to Waterloo?
The road trip is about 230.2 miles (370.4 km) and usually takes 03h 54m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Urbandale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 114.8 miles from Bedford and 115.4 miles from Waterloo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 176.1 miles (283.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.62 one way or $61.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Bedford and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waterloo.
Stop Ideas Near Urbandale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Urbandale.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bedford and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 176.12 mi (283.44 km).
#1 Bedford
Town in Taylor County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,380 |
| Coordinates | 40.6669300, -94.7213600 |
| Altitude | 344 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Waterloo
The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
| Population | 67,292 |
| Coordinates | 42.4927600, -92.3429600 |
| Altitude | 261 |
| Country | United States |
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 370 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $30.62 | $61.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $34.53 | $69.07 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $37.79 | $75.58 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $43.07 | $86.14 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Iowa · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.