How far is Leon, IA from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from Leon, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 181.8 miles (292.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 141.2 miles (227.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 08m 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
181.73 mi
03h 04m
Flight
141.19 mi
227.22 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Leon.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
141.19 mi
Kilometers
227.22 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
181.73 mi
Kilometers
292.46 km
Drive Time
03h 04m

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 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Tue, Jun 2, 8:25 AM CDT
Return by in Leon
Tue, Jun 2, 11:29 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Leon
2026-06-02T05:21
Arrive Waterloo
Tue, Jun 2, 8:25 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:04 AM to 11:04 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
10:52 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Leon
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
Valeria
IA

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

From Leon
90.8 mi
01h 32m
To Waterloo
91 mi
01h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph E
Destination
81°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph ESE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Northwest Church Street

    9.4 mi · 13 min · Northwest Church Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 120th Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · 120th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Line Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · Line Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right toward Webb

    1522 ft · 37 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    63.7 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    4.5 mi · 5 min

  7. 7

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

    2428 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road

    35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Marsh Avenue

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on South Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  12. 12

    Continue on 160th Street

    4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Sanford Avenue

    15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto 240th Street

    6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto M Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on County Road T37

    1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37

  17. 17

    Turn sharp right onto 210th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto N Avenue

    4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue

  19. 19

    Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo

    2388 ft · 58 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left

    18 mi · 21 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Sergeant Road

    3054 ft · 1 min

  22. 22

    Turn slight right

    37 m · 6 sec

  23. 23

    Turn straight onto Sergeant Road

    3.8 mi · 6 min · Sergeant Road

  24. 24

    Turn right onto University Avenue

    118 m · 9 sec · University Avenue

  25. 25

    Turn straight

    1708 ft · 45 sec

  26. 26

    Turn right

    617 ft · 10 sec

  27. 27

    Continue on Washington Street

    1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street

  28. 28

    Turn right onto West 4th Street

    23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Leon 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
29 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Webb
68.5 mi · 38%
Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 19%
US 20 East
18.4 mi · 10%
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 9%
Northwest Church Street
9.38 mi · 5%
240th Street
6.28 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Webb

Merge slight left

63.7 mi · 01h 10m

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 04m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+40.6 mi
141.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Valeria
01h 32m from Leon
Leave By
10:52 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Leon and Sunny near Waterloo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 181.8 miles (292.5 km) and usually takes 03h 04m 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?

Valeria is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.8 miles from Leon and 91 miles from Waterloo.

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

The direct path is about 141.2 miles (227.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.6 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 10:52 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.17 one way or $48.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Leon and Sunny near Waterloo.

Stop Ideas Near Valeria

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Valeria, 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 Valeria.

RAIL

Osceola

85 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Ottumwa station

110 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Creston

114 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Leon and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 141.19 mi (227.22 km).

Leon

#1 Leon

City in Iowa, USA

Population1,808
Coordinates40.7397200, -93.7477200
Altitude343
CountryUnited States
Waterloo

#2 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Start: Northwest Church Street (-93.747954, 40.739722)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 292 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 01m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.41 gal
24.27 L · about $24.17
Round trip
$48.34
12.82 gal · 48.54 L
Estimated CO2
57 kg one way
Round trip: 113.9 kg / 251 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $24.17 $48.34
Mid-grade $4.25 $27.26 $54.52
Premium $4.65 $29.83 $59.66
Diesel $5.30 $34.00 $68.00

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 · Jun 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Leon and Waterloo. The current time is 05:21:10.

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.