How far is Grimes, IA from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from Grimes, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 129.2 miles (207.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 92.8 miles (149.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 17m 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
129.18 mi
02h 08m
Flight
92.75 mi
149.26 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Grimes.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
92.75 mi
Kilometers
149.26 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
129.18 mi
Kilometers
207.9 km
Drive Time
02h 08m

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 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Wed, Apr 22, 9:39 PM CDT
Return by in Grimes
Wed, Apr 22, 11:48 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Grimes
2026-04-22T19:31
Arrive Waterloo
Wed, Apr 22, 9:39 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:09 AM to 12:09 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Grimes
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
Albion
IA

City in Marshall County, Iowa

From Grimes
59.8 mi
01h 04m
To Waterloo
69.3 mi
01h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 16 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 Grimes and Waterloo.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Southeast Main Street

    7 m · 5 sec · Southeast Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East 1st Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · East 1st Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right

    1628 ft · 45 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Grimes Boulevard

    1344 ft · 23 sec · Grimes Boulevard

  5. 5

    Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard

    2 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard

  6. 6

    Continue on Northwest Urbandale Drive

    1354 ft · 37 sec · Northwest Urbandale Drive

  7. 7

    Turn left onto I-35 north, I-80 east: Minneapolis, Davenport

    1886 ft · 46 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    7.9 mi · 9 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    1.2 km · 51 sec

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    3105 ft · 41 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    4.5 mi · 5 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant

    2428 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road

    35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Marsh Avenue

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on South Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  17. 17

    Continue on 160th Street

    4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Sanford Avenue

    15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto 240th Street

    6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto M Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue

  21. 21

    Continue on County Road T37

    1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37

  22. 22

    Turn sharp right onto 210th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto N Avenue

    4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue

  24. 24

    Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo

    2388 ft · 58 sec

  25. 25

    Merge slight left

    18 mi · 21 min

  26. 26

    Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Sergeant Road

    3054 ft · 1 min

  27. 27

    Turn slight right

    37 m · 6 sec

  28. 28

    Turn straight onto Sergeant Road

    3.8 mi · 6 min · Sergeant Road

  29. 29

    Turn right onto University Avenue

    118 m · 9 sec · University Avenue

  30. 30

    Turn straight

    1708 ft · 45 sec

  31. 31

    Turn right

    617 ft · 10 sec

  32. 32

    Continue on Washington Street

    1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street

  33. 33

    Turn right onto West 4th Street

    23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street

  34. 34

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
34 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 27%
US 20 East
18.4 mi · 14%
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 12%
I-35 north
14.1 mi · 11%
240th Street
6.28 mi · 5%
Marsh Avenue
5.95 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Northeast Hubbell Road

Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road

35.2 mi · 00h 42m

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 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.4 mi
92.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Albion
01h 04m from Grimes
Leave By
2:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Grimes and Sunny near Waterloo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 129.2 miles (207.9 km) and usually takes 02h 08m 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?

Albion is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59.8 miles from Grimes and 69.3 miles from Waterloo.

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

The direct path is about 92.8 miles (149.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.20 one way or $34.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Grimes and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 92.75 mi (149.26 km).

Grimes

#1 Grimes

City in Iowa, United States

Population15,831
Coordinates41.6883200, -93.7910600
Altitude291
CountryUnited States
Waterloo

#2 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Start: Southeast Main Street (-93.791056, 41.68832)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 208 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.56 gal
17.26 L · about $17.20
Round trip
$34.39
9.12 gal · 34.52 L
Estimated CO2
40.5 kg one way
Round trip: 81 kg / 179 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.20 $34.39
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.39 $38.79
Premium $4.65 $21.22 $42.44
Diesel $5.30 $24.19 $48.37

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 Grimes and Waterloo. The current time is 19:31:04.

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.