How far is Centerville, IA from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from Centerville, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 147 miles (236.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 124.6 miles (200.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
146.96 mi
03h 01m
Flight
124.57 mi
200.47 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Centerville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
124.57 mi
Kilometers
200.47 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
146.96 mi
Kilometers
236.51 km
Drive Time
03h 01m

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 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Sat, Apr 18, 8:05 AM CDT
Return by in Centerville
Sat, Apr 18, 11:07 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Centerville
2026-04-18T05:04
Arrive Waterloo
Sat, Apr 18, 8:05 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:02 AM to 11:02 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:56 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Centerville
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Montezuma
IA

City in Poweshiek County, Iowa, United States

From Centerville
73.3 mi
01h 30m
To Waterloo
73.6 mi
01h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 to 20 mph NW
Destination
49°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
21 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North 13th Street

    50 m · 8 sec · North 13th Street

  2. 2

    Continue on North 13th Street

    88 m · 22 sec · North 13th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East State Street

    1513 ft · 1 min · East State Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto North 18th Street

    20.7 mi · 31 min · North 18th Street

  5. 5

    Continue on South Main Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · South Main Street

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on State Highway 137

    14.5 mi · 21 min · State Highway 137

  7. 7

    Take the ramp straight

    2396 ft · 58 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    7.5 mi · 9 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 63 North: Oskaloosa, New Sharon

    15.1 mi · 24 min

  10. 10

    Turn right onto East Market Street

    22 mi · 33 min · East Market Street

  11. 11

    Continue on 120th Street

    2.3 mi · 3 min · 120th Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto 380th Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · 380th Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto 100th Street

    8 mi · 12 min · 100th Street

  14. 14

    Continue on J Avenue

    6.3 mi · 9 min · J Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on State Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · State Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto West 13th Street

    1334 ft · 25 sec · West 13th Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Harding Street

    2225 ft · 38 sec · Harding Street

  18. 18

    Continue on South County Road

    1.8 mi · 3 min · South County Road

  19. 19

    Continue on J Avenue

    11.8 mi · 18 min · J Avenue

  20. 20

    At the end of the road, turn right

    30.1 mi · 43 min

  21. 21

    Turn right onto University Avenue

    118 m · 9 sec · University Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn straight

    1708 ft · 45 sec

  23. 23

    Turn right

    617 ft · 10 sec

  24. 24

    Continue on Washington Street

    1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto West 4th Street

    23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Centerville 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
26 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 137
22.4 mi · 15%
East Market Street
22 mi · 15%
North 18th Street
20.7 mi · 14%
J Avenue
18 mi · 12%
US 63 North
15.1 mi · 10%
100th Street
8.04 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

At the end of the road, turn right

30.1 mi · 00h 43m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 01m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.4 mi
124.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Montezuma
01h 30m from Centerville
Leave By
10:56 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Centerville 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 Centerville to Waterloo?

The road trip is about 147 miles (236.5 km) and usually takes 03h 01m 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?

Montezuma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.3 miles from Centerville and 73.6 miles from Waterloo.

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

The direct path is about 124.6 miles (200.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.4 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 10:56 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.57 one way or $39.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Centerville and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waterloo.

Stop Ideas Near Montezuma

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Montezuma, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Montezuma.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

64 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

106 mi away
418 North Adams Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Centerville and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 124.57 mi (200.47 km).

Centerville

#1 Centerville

City in Iowa, United States

Population5,414
Coordinates40.7341800, -92.8740900
Altitude307
CountryUnited States
Waterloo

#2 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Start: North 13th Street (-92.873567, 40.734179)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 237 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.19 gal
19.63 L · about $19.57
Round trip
$39.14
10.38 gal · 39.26 L
Estimated CO2
46.1 kg one way
Round trip: 92.2 kg / 203 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.57 $39.14
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.07 $44.15
Premium $4.65 $24.15 $48.31
Diesel $5.30 $27.53 $55.06

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Centerville and Waterloo. The current time is 05:04:17.

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.