How far is Guthrie Center, IA from Waterloo, IA?
The driving distance from Guthrie Center, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 170 miles (273.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 124.3 miles (200 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 39m 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 02h 49m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Guthrie Center and Waterloo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Guthrie Center and Waterloo.
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1
Start on State Street
7 mi · 10 min · State Street
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2
Continue on West Main Street
1.1 km · 1 min · West Main Street
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3
Turn left onto Northeast 3rd Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Northeast 3rd Street
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4
Continue on State Highway 4
9.3 mi · 13 min · State Highway 4
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5
Turn right onto 120th Street
1537 ft · 26 sec · 120th Street
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6
Turn straight onto George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
16.8 mi · 23 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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7
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
5.6 mi · 6 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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8
Take the exit slight right toward IA 210: Woodward, Woodward Resource Center
2467 ft · 1 min
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9
Turn left onto North Main Street
2 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
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10
Turn right
5.2 mi · 8 min
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11
At the end of the road, turn right onto East 1st Street
127 m · 13 sec · East 1st Street
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 1st Street
2680 ft · 52 sec · East 1st Street
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13
Turn left onto North Kennedy Avenue
121 m · 12 sec · North Kennedy Avenue
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14
Turn right onto East North Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · East North Street
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15
Continue on 330th Street
4.8 mi · 7 min · 330th Street
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16
Continue on 6th Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · 6th Avenue
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17
Continue on 330th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 330th Street
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18
Continue on State Highway 210
4.6 mi · 7 min · State Highway 210
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19
Take the ramp left toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
1974 ft · 48 sec
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20
Merge slight left
39.1 mi · 42 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
2998 ft · 1 min
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22
Merge slight left
60.6 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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23
Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Sergeant Road
3054 ft · 1 min
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24
Turn slight right
37 m · 6 sec
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25
Turn straight onto Sergeant Road
3.8 mi · 6 min · Sergeant Road
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26
Turn right onto University Avenue
118 m · 9 sec · University Avenue
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27
Turn straight
1708 ft · 45 sec
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28
Turn right
617 ft · 10 sec
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29
Continue on Washington Street
1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street
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30
Turn right onto West 4th Street
23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Guthrie Center and Waterloo.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 20 East
Merge slight left
60.6 mi · 01h 10m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Guthrie Center and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Waterloo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Guthrie Center to Waterloo?
The road trip is about 170 miles (273.6 km) and usually takes 02h 49m 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?
Story City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.5 miles from Guthrie Center and 86.5 miles from Waterloo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 124.3 miles (200 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.7 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 12:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.63 one way or $45.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Guthrie Center and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Waterloo.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Guthrie Center and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 124.28 mi (200.01 km).
#1 Guthrie Center
City in Iowa
| Population | 1,487 |
| Coordinates | 41.6772100, -94.5033000 |
| Altitude | 338 |
| 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: 274 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.63 | $45.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.52 | $51.04 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.92 | $55.85 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.82 | $63.65 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.