How far is Manson, IA from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from Manson, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 120.9 miles (194.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 111.6 miles (179.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 57m 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
120.89 mi
01h 58m
Flight
111.63 mi
179.65 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Manson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
111.63 mi
Kilometers
179.65 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
120.89 mi
Kilometers
194.56 km
Drive Time
01h 58m

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 01h 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Thu, Apr 16, 8:46 AM CDT
Return by in Manson
Thu, Apr 16, 10:45 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Manson
2026-04-16T06:47
Arrive Waterloo
Thu, Apr 16, 8:46 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:59 AM to 11:59 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:32 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Manson
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
Williams
IA

City in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States

From Manson
61.5 mi
00h 59m
To Waterloo
59.5 mi
00h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 14 mph SSW
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 Manson and Waterloo.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    11 m · 7 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 10th Avenue

    1599 ft · 1 min · 10th Avenue

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 8th Street

    1908 ft · 38 sec · 8th Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Tabor Avenue

    2635 ft · 55 sec · Tabor Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto 190th Street

    8 m · 6 sec · 190th Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Tabor Avenue

    3 mi · 5 min · Tabor Avenue

  7. 7

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 220th Street

    1.1 km · 59 sec · 220th Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Sigourney Avenue

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Sigourney Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn left

    111.6 mi · 2 hr 9 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Sergeant Road

    3054 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Turn slight right

    37 m · 6 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto Sergeant Road

    3.8 mi · 6 min · Sergeant Road

  13. 13

    Turn right onto University Avenue

    118 m · 9 sec · University Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn straight

    1708 ft · 45 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right

    617 ft · 10 sec

  16. 16

    Continue on Washington Street

    1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West 4th Street

    23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Manson 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
18 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Sergeant Road
3.79 mi · 3%
Tabor Avenue
3.49 mi · 3%
Sigourney Avenue
1.65 mi · 1%
220th Street
0.66 mi · 1%
US 63
0.58 mi
8th Street
0.36 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn left

112 mi · 02h 09m

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
01h 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.3 mi
111.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Williams
00h 59m from Manson
Leave By
2:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Manson 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 Manson to Waterloo?

The road trip is about 120.9 miles (194.6 km) and usually takes 01h 58m 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?

Williams is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.5 miles from Manson and 59.5 miles from Waterloo.

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

The direct path is about 111.6 miles (179.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.3 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 2:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.10 one way or $32.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Manson and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 111.63 mi (179.65 km).

Manson

#1 Manson

City in Calhoun County, Iowa, United States

Population1,529
Coordinates42.5291400, -94.5341400
Altitude378
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 (-94.534266, 42.529142)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 195 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 00m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 43m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.27 gal
16.15 L · about $16.10
Round trip
$32.20
8.54 gal · 32.3 L
Estimated CO2
37.9 kg one way
Round trip: 75.9 kg / 167 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.10 $32.20
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.16 $36.32
Premium $4.65 $19.87 $39.75
Diesel $5.30 $22.65 $45.30

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Manson and Waterloo. The current time is 06:47:53.

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.