How far is Hiawatha, IA from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from Hiawatha, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 50.9 miles (81.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 46.2 miles (74.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 40m 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
50.86 mi
00h 50m
Flight
46.24 mi
74.42 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hiawatha.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
46.24 mi
Kilometers
74.42 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
50.86 mi
Kilometers
81.85 km
Drive Time
00h 50m

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 00h 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Tue, May 12, 7:09 PM CDT
Return by in Hiawatha
Tue, May 12, 7:59 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hiawatha
2026-05-12T18:19
Arrive Waterloo
Tue, May 12, 7:09 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:50 AM to 10:50 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:50 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hiawatha
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
Brandon
IA

City in Iowa

From Hiawatha
25.4 mi
00h 25m
To Waterloo
25.5 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Today

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 8:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph SW
Destination
79°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 22 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Heefner Street

    53 m · 10 sec · Heefner Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 9th Avenue

    120 m · 25 sec · 9th Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Blairs Ferry Road Northeast

    1672 ft · 52 sec · Blairs Ferry Road Northeast

  4. 4

    Turn left onto I-380 south, IA 27 south: Waterloo

    1093 ft · 27 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    46.6 mi · 51 min · Avenue of the Saints

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo

    2.9 mi · 5 min

  7. 7

    Continue on Washington Street

    2296 ft · 1 min · Washington Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto West 4th Street

    121 m · 13 sec · West 4th Street

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Hiawatha 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
9 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
1 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
46.6 mi · 92%
I-380 north
2.95 mi · 6%
Washington Street
0.43 mi · 1%
Blairs Ferry Road Northeast
0.32 mi · 1%
I-380 south
0.21 mi
West 4th Street
0.08 mi
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

46.6 mi · 00h 51m

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
00h 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.7 mi
46.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brandon
00h 25m from Hiawatha
Leave By
4:50 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Hiawatha and Chance Rain Showers near Waterloo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 50.9 miles (81.9 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?

Brandon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.4 miles from Hiawatha and 25.5 miles from Waterloo.

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

The direct path is about 46.2 miles (74.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.7 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 4:50 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.75 one way or $13.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Hiawatha and Chance Rain Showers near Waterloo.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hiawatha and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 46.24 mi (74.42 km).

Hiawatha

#1 Hiawatha

City in Iowa

Population7,466
Coordinates42.0358300, -91.6821200
Altitude258
CountryUnited States
Waterloo

#2 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Start: Heefner Street (-91.68212, 42.035825)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 82 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 41m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 50m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 43m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.79 gal
6.79 L · about $6.75
Round trip
$13.50
3.58 gal · 13.58 L
Estimated CO2
15.9 kg one way
Round trip: 31.8 kg / 70 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.75 $13.50
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.61 $15.23
Premium $4.65 $8.33 $16.66
Diesel $5.30 $9.49 $18.99

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Hiawatha and Waterloo. The current time is 18:19:13.

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.