How far is Glidden, IA from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from Glidden, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 152.9 miles (246 km), with a travel time of about 02h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 125.6 miles (202.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 04m 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
152.83 mi
02h 32m
Flight
125.64 mi
202.19 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Glidden.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
125.64 mi
Kilometers
202.19 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
152.83 mi
Kilometers
245.96 km
Drive Time
02h 32m

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 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Thu, Apr 23, 12:03 AM CDT
Return by in Glidden
Thu, Apr 23, 2:36 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Glidden
2026-04-22T21:31
Arrive Waterloo
Thu, Apr 23, 12:03 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:32 AM to 12:32 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:26 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Glidden
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 Glidden
76.4 mi
01h 16m
To Waterloo
76.5 mi
01h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 18 mph S
Destination
80°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Idaho Street

    18 m · 8 sec · North Idaho Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East 2nd Street

    795 ft · 40 sec · East 2nd Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Colorado Street

    2673 ft · 53 sec · Colorado Street

  4. 4

    Continue on N41

    8.1 mi · 14 min · N41

  5. 5

    Continue on Timber Avenue

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Timber Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on Jennings Avenue

    3.9 mi · 7 min · Jennings Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on South Hancock Street

    559 ft · 13 sec · South Hancock Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    1 mi · 1 min · East Main Street

  9. 9

    Continue on 360th Street

    3 mi · 5 min · 360th Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Norridge Avenue

    9 mi · 12 min · Norridge Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn right onto West High Street

    1 mi · 2 min · West High Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto North 1st Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · North 1st Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Ogden Avenue

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Ogden Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right

    115.5 mi · 2 hr 13 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Sergeant Road

    3054 ft · 1 min

  16. 16

    Turn slight right

    37 m · 6 sec

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto Sergeant Road

    3.8 mi · 6 min · Sergeant Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto University Avenue

    118 m · 9 sec · University Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn straight

    1708 ft · 45 sec

  20. 20

    Turn right

    617 ft · 10 sec

  21. 21

    Continue on Washington Street

    1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto West 4th Street

    23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Glidden 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
23 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Norridge Avenue
9.05 mi · 6%
N41
8.08 mi · 5%
Jennings Avenue
3.88 mi · 3%
Sergeant Road
3.79 mi · 2%
360th Street
3 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 32m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.3 mi
125.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Webster City
01h 16m from Glidden
Leave By
1:26 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Glidden and Sunny near Waterloo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 152.9 miles (246 km) and usually takes 02h 32m 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 76.4 miles from Glidden and 76.5 miles from Waterloo.

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

The direct path is about 125.6 miles (202.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.3 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 1:26 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.33 one way or $40.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Glidden and Sunny near Waterloo.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Glidden and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 125.64 mi (202.19 km).

Glidden

#1 Glidden

City in Carroll County, Iowa

Population1,090
Coordinates42.0569300, -94.7288700
Altitude377
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 Idaho Street (-94.728922, 42.05693)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 246 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.39 gal
20.41 L · about $20.33
Round trip
$40.65
10.78 gal · 40.82 L
Estimated CO2
47.9 kg one way
Round trip: 95.8 kg / 211 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.33 $40.65
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.92 $45.85
Premium $4.65 $25.09 $50.17
Diesel $5.30 $28.59 $57.18

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Glidden and Waterloo. The current time is 21:31:33.

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.