How far is Mapleton, IA from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from Mapleton, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 196.3 miles (315.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 177.6 miles (285.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 19m 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
196.3 mi
03h 09m
Flight
177.66 mi
285.92 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Mapleton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
177.66 mi
Kilometers
285.92 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
196.3 mi
Kilometers
315.91 km
Drive Time
03h 09m

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 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Wed, Apr 22, 11:22 PM CDT
Return by in Mapleton
Thu, Apr 23, 2:32 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mapleton
2026-04-22T20:13
Arrive Waterloo
Wed, Apr 22, 11:22 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:10 AM to 11:10 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
10:40 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Mapleton
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
Otho
IA

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

From Mapleton
98.1 mi
01h 34m
To Waterloo
98.2 mi
01h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 21 mph S
Destination
80°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    14 m · 6 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North 4th Street

    3166 ft · 1 min · North 4th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto State Highway 175

    14.4 mi · 20 min · State Highway 175

  4. 4

    Continue on 1st Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · 1st Street

  5. 5

    Continue on State Highway 175

    1.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 175

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Eagle Avenue

    10 mi · 14 min · Eagle Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Highway 20

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Highway 20

  8. 8

    Continue on United States Highway 20

    8.3 mi · 10 min · United States Highway 20

  9. 9

    Continue on 220th Street

    154.8 mi · 2 hr 59 min · 220th Street

  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 Mapleton 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
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
155 mi · 79%
State Highway 175
15.4 mi · 8%
Eagle Avenue
10 mi · 5%
United States Highway 20
8.31 mi · 4%
Sergeant Road
3.79 mi · 2%
Highway 20
1.27 mi · 1%
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 09m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.7 mi
177.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Otho
01h 34m from Mapleton
Leave By
10:40 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Mapleton and Sunny near Waterloo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 196.3 miles (315.9 km) and usually takes 03h 09m 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?

Otho is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.1 miles from Mapleton and 98.2 miles from Waterloo.

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

The direct path is about 177.6 miles (285.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:40 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.13 one way or $52.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mapleton and Sunny near Waterloo.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Mapleton and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 177.66 mi (285.92 km).

Mapleton

#1 Mapleton

City in Monona County, Iowa, United States

Population1,147
Coordinates42.1658200, -95.7930600
Altitude347
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 (-95.793058, 42.165901)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 316 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.93 gal
26.22 L · about $26.13
Round trip
$52.27
13.86 gal · 52.44 L
Estimated CO2
61.6 kg one way
Round trip: 123.2 kg / 272 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $26.13 $52.27
Mid-grade $4.25 $29.47 $58.95
Premium $4.65 $32.25 $64.50
Diesel $5.30 $36.76 $73.51

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Mapleton and Waterloo. The current time is 20:13:00.

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.