How far is Le Mars, IA from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from Le Mars, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 222.3 miles (357.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 195.4 miles (314.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
222.31 mi
03h 34m
Flight
195.38 mi
314.43 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Le Mars.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
195.38 mi
Kilometers
314.43 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
222.31 mi
Kilometers
357.78 km
Drive Time
03h 34m

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 03h 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Fri, Apr 17, 1:25 AM CDT
Return by in Le Mars
Fri, Apr 17, 5:00 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Le Mars
2026-04-16T21:51
Arrive Waterloo
Fri, Apr 17, 1:25 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:35 AM to 11:35 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:50 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Le Mars
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Knierim
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Le Mars
110.7 mi
01h 47m
To Waterloo
111.6 mi
01h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 7:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 20 mph S
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Le Mars and Waterloo.

  1. 1

    Start on 1st Street Northeast

    1719 ft · 1 min · 1st Street Northeast

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 5th Avenue Northeast

    617 ft · 16 sec · 5th Avenue Northeast

  3. 3

    Continue on Lincoln Street Northeast

    1.1 km · 1 min · Lincoln Street Northeast

  4. 4

    Continue on State Highway 3

    4.7 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3

  5. 5

    Turn right onto County Road K64

    5 mi · 7 min · County Road K64

  6. 6

    Continue on Oyens Avenue

    7 mi · 10 min · Oyens Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn left onto C 60

    2 mi · 3 min · C 60

  8. 8

    Turn right onto County Road C66

    2.4 mi · 3 min · County Road C66

  9. 9

    Continue on 310th Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 310th Street

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto County Highway C66

    1.3 km · 1 min · County Highway C66

  11. 11

    Continue on Main Street

    1311 ft · 52 sec · Main Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto East 3rd Street

    2663 ft · 1 min · East 3rd Street

  13. 13

    Continue on 320th Street

    2 mi · 3 min · 320th Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Shamrock Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · Shamrock Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on Lee Avenue

    5.4 mi · 8 min · Lee Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Highway 20

    19 mi · 23 min · Highway 20

  17. 17

    Continue on United States Highway 20

    8.3 mi · 10 min · United States Highway 20

  18. 18

    Continue on 220th Street

    154.8 mi · 2 hr 59 min · 220th Street

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Sergeant Road

    3054 ft · 1 min

  20. 20

    Turn slight right

    37 m · 6 sec

  21. 21

    Turn straight onto Sergeant Road

    3.8 mi · 6 min · Sergeant Road

  22. 22

    Turn right onto University Avenue

    118 m · 9 sec · University Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn straight

    1708 ft · 45 sec

  24. 24

    Turn right

    617 ft · 10 sec

  25. 25

    Continue on Washington Street

    1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto West 4th Street

    23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Le Mars 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
27 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
155 mi · 70%
Highway 20
19 mi · 9%
United States Highway 20
8.31 mi · 4%
Oyens Avenue
7.04 mi · 3%
Lee Avenue
5.42 mi · 2%
County Road K64
5.03 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

220th Street

Continue on 220th Street

155 mi · 02h 59m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 34m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.9 mi
195.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Knierim
01h 47m from Le Mars
Leave By
9:50 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Le Mars and Slight 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 Le Mars to Waterloo?

The road trip is about 222.3 miles (357.8 km) and usually takes 03h 34m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Knierim is a useful midpoint, sitting about 110.7 miles from Le Mars and 111.6 miles from Waterloo.

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

The direct path is about 195.4 miles (314.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:50 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.60 one way or $59.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Le Mars and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Waterloo.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Le Mars and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 195.38 mi (314.43 km).

Le Mars

#1 Le Mars

City in Iowa, United States

Population10,195
Coordinates42.7941600, -96.1655800
Altitude376
CountryUnited States
Waterloo

#2 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Start: 1st Street Northeast (-96.165582, 42.794299)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 358 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.85 gal
29.7 L · about $29.60
Round trip
$59.20
15.7 gal · 59.4 L
Estimated CO2
69.8 kg one way
Round trip: 139.5 kg / 308 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $29.60 $59.20
Mid-grade $4.25 $33.39 $66.77
Premium $4.65 $36.53 $73.07
Diesel $5.30 $41.64 $83.27

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Le Mars and Waterloo. The current time is 21:51:14.

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.