How far is Keokuk, IA from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from Keokuk, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 172.1 miles (276.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 153 miles (246.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 36m 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
172.06 mi
02h 48m
Flight
153.05 mi
246.31 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Keokuk.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
153.05 mi
Kilometers
246.31 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
172.06 mi
Kilometers
276.9 km
Drive Time
02h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Thu, May 21, 10:05 PM CDT
Return by in Keokuk
Fri, May 22, 12:53 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Keokuk
2026-05-21T19:16
Arrive Waterloo
Thu, May 21, 10:05 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:48 AM to 12:48 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:54 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Keokuk
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
Hills
IA

Human settlement in Johnson County, Iowa, United States of America

From Keokuk
85.9 mi
01h 24m
To Waterloo
86.1 mi
01h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, May 21 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph E
Destination
62°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Thu, May 21 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    3.5 mi · 6 min · Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue straight

    5.6 mi · 7 min

  3. 3

    Turn left

    9.2 mi · 14 min

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right

    2350 ft · 57 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    26.5 mi · 31 min · Avenue of the Saints

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    123 mi · 2 hr 19 min · Avenue of the Saints

  7. 7

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

    2.9 mi · 5 min

  8. 8

    Continue on Washington Street

    2296 ft · 1 min · Washington Street

  9. 9

    Turn left onto West 4th Street

    121 m · 13 sec · West 4th Street

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Keokuk 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
10 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
150 mi · 87%
Main Street
9.58 mi · 6%
I-380 north
2.95 mi · 2%
Washington Street
0.43 mi
West 4th Street
0.08 mi
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

123 mi · 02h 19m

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 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.1 mi
153 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hills
01h 24m from Keokuk
Leave By
12:54 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Keokuk and Mostly Cloudy near Waterloo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 172.1 miles (276.9 km) and usually takes 02h 48m 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?

Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.9 miles from Keokuk and 86.1 miles from Waterloo.

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

The direct path is about 153 miles (246.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.1 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 12:54 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.89 one way or $45.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Keokuk and Mostly Cloudy near Waterloo.

Stop Ideas Near Hills

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Hills, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hills.

RAIL

Mount Pleasant

65 mi away
418 North Adams Street
BUS

Davenport, Iowa

80 mi away
304 West River Drive
BUS

Rock Island, IL

82 mi away
3500 5th Avenue
BUS

Moline, Illinois

86 mi away
1200 River Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Keokuk and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 153.05 mi (246.31 km).

Keokuk

#1 Keokuk

City in Iowa, USA

Population10,090
Coordinates40.3972700, -91.3848700
Altitude174
CountryUnited States
Waterloo

#2 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Start: Main Street (-91.384862, 40.397274)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 277 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.07 gal
22.98 L · about $22.89
Round trip
$45.78
12.14 gal · 45.96 L
Estimated CO2
53.9 kg one way
Round trip: 107.9 kg / 238 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.89 $45.78
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.82 $51.63
Premium $4.65 $28.25 $56.50
Diesel $5.30 $32.20 $64.39

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 22, 2026

There is no time difference between Keokuk and Waterloo. The current time is 19:16:44.

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.