How far is Decorah, IA from Waterloo, IA?
The driving distance from Decorah, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 77.7 miles (125.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 62.7 miles (100.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 27m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Township in Chickasaw County, Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Decorah and Waterloo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decorah and Waterloo.
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1
Start on East Main Street
120 m · 23 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn left onto Winnebago Street
104 m · 17 sec · Winnebago Street
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3
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
989 ft · 25 sec · West Broadway Street
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4
Turn left onto South Mechanic Street
2540 ft · 1 min · South Mechanic Street
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5
Turn slight right onto Short Street
2148 ft · 1 min · Short Street
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6
Turn right onto State Highway 9
2194 ft · 48 sec · State Highway 9
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7
Turn left
9.6 mi · 14 min
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8
Turn right onto South Street
1043 ft · 49 sec · South Street
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9
Turn left onto Charles Street
1751 ft · 39 sec · Charles Street
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10
Continue on State Highway 24
3237 ft · 52 sec · State Highway 24
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11
Continue on Highway 24
3252 ft · 50 sec · Highway 24
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12
Continue on State Highway 24
2.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 24
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13
Continue on 1st Street Southeast
1363 ft · 42 sec · 1st Street Southeast
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14
Continue on State Highway 24
12.6 mi · 18 min · State Highway 24
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15
Turn left onto County Highway V56
133 m · 9 sec · County Highway V56
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16
Continue on Union Avenue
7.1 mi · 10 min · Union Avenue
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17
Turn right onto 270th Street
2.5 mi · 3 min · 270th Street
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18
Continue on East Main Street
1.5 km · 1 min · East Main Street
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19
Continue on 270th Street
5.6 mi · 8 min · 270th Street
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20
Take the ramp left
2080 ft · 57 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto McCloud Avenue
22.4 mi · 26 min · McCloud Avenue
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22
Continue on Logan Avenue
8.7 mi · 12 min · Logan Avenue
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23
Continue on East Mullan Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · East Mullan Avenue
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24
Turn straight
1100 ft · 20 sec
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25
Continue on Washington Street
1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street
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26
Turn right onto West 4th Street
23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Decorah and Waterloo.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
McCloud Avenue
Merge slight left onto McCloud Avenue
22.4 mi · 00h 26m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Decorah and Mostly Sunny near Waterloo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Decorah to Waterloo?
The road trip is about 77.7 miles (125.1 km) and usually takes 01h 27m 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?
Fredericksburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.1 miles from Decorah and 38.6 miles from Waterloo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 62.7 miles (100.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 15 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 3:36 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.33 one way or $20.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Decorah and Mostly Sunny near Waterloo.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Decorah and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 62.7 mi (100.91 km).
#1 Decorah
Town in Iowa
| Population | 7,484 |
| Coordinates | 43.3033100, -91.7857100 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| 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: 125 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $10.33 | $20.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $11.65 | $23.31 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $12.75 | $25.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $14.53 | $29.07 |
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 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.