How far is Carroll, IA from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from Carroll, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 159.9 miles (257.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 132.4 miles (213 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
159.91 mi
02h 39m
Flight
132.35 mi
213 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Carroll.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
132.35 mi
Kilometers
213 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
159.91 mi
Kilometers
257.35 km
Drive Time
02h 39m

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 02h 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Tue, May 12, 9:32 PM CDT
Return by in Carroll
Wed, May 13, 12:12 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Carroll
2026-05-12T18:52
Arrive Waterloo
Tue, May 12, 9:32 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:40 AM to 12:40 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:10 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Carroll
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Webster City
IA

City in Iowa

From Carroll
79.7 mi
01h 20m
To Waterloo
80.3 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Today

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 9:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 23 mph W
Destination
79°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 22 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Carroll and Waterloo.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Carroll and Waterloo.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    39 m · 12 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right

    23 m · 8 sec

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East 6th Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · East 6th Street

  4. 4

    Turn slight right

    12.5 mi · 18 min

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 370th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 370th Street

  6. 6

    Continue on 365th Street

    3.1 mi · 5 min · 365th Street

  7. 7

    Continue on State Highway 175

    2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 175

  8. 8

    Continue on State Highway 175

    1.4 km · 1 min · State Highway 175

  9. 9

    Continue on West Main Street

    2.1 mi · 3 min · West Main Street

  10. 10

    Continue on 360th Street

    3 mi · 5 min · 360th Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Norridge Avenue

    9 mi · 12 min · Norridge Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn right onto West High Street

    1 mi · 2 min · West High Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto North 1st Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · North 1st Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Ogden Avenue

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Ogden Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right

    115.5 mi · 2 hr 13 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Sergeant Road

    3054 ft · 1 min

  17. 17

    Turn slight right

    37 m · 6 sec

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto Sergeant Road

    3.8 mi · 6 min · Sergeant Road

  19. 19

    Turn right onto University Avenue

    118 m · 9 sec · University Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn straight

    1708 ft · 45 sec

  21. 21

    Turn right

    617 ft · 10 sec

  22. 22

    Continue on Washington Street

    1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto West 4th Street

    23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Carroll and Waterloo.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
24 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Norridge Avenue
9.05 mi · 6%
Sergeant Road
3.79 mi · 2%
365th Street
3.05 mi · 2%
360th Street
3 mi · 2%
State Highway 175
2.98 mi · 2%
Ogden Avenue
2.48 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

116 mi · 02h 13m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 39m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.5 mi
132.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Webster City
01h 20m from Carroll
Leave By
1:10 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Carroll and Chance Rain Showers near Waterloo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Carroll to Waterloo?

The road trip is about 159.9 miles (257.3 km) and usually takes 02h 39m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Webster City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.7 miles from Carroll and 80.3 miles from Waterloo.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 132.4 miles (213 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:10 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.27 one way or $42.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Carroll and Chance Rain Showers near Waterloo.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Carroll and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 132.35 mi (213 km).

Carroll

#1 Carroll

City in Carroll County, Iowa, United States

Population9,694
Coordinates42.0658200, -94.8669300
Altitude387
CountryUnited States
Waterloo

#2 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Start: (-94.866824, 42.065795)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 257 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 17m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.64 gal
21.36 L · about $21.27
Round trip
$42.54
11.28 gal · 42.72 L
Estimated CO2
50.1 kg one way
Round trip: 100.2 kg / 221 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.27 $42.54
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.99 $47.97
Premium $4.65 $26.25 $52.50
Diesel $5.30 $29.91 $59.83

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 · May 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Carroll and Waterloo. The current time is 18:52:51.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.