How far is Milford, IA from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from Milford, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 198.8 miles (319.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 153.2 miles (246.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 53m 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
198.8 mi
03h 26m
Flight
153.24 mi
246.61 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Milford.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
153.24 mi
Kilometers
246.61 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
198.8 mi
Kilometers
319.94 km
Drive Time
03h 26m

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 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Sun, Apr 19, 2:09 AM CDT
Return by in Milford
Sun, Apr 19, 5:35 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Milford
2026-04-18T22:42
Arrive Waterloo
Sun, Apr 19, 2:09 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:27 AM to 11:27 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
10:06 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Milford
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
Moorland
IA

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

From Milford
103.7 mi
01h 43m
To Waterloo
95.1 mi
01h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
48°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 25 mph NW
Destination
49°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
21 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Okoboji Avenue

    11.8 mi · 15 min · Okoboji Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue on Grand Avenue

    1 km · 2 min · Grand Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West 8th Street

    117 m · 13 sec · West 8th Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 1st Avenue West

    2264 ft · 50 sec · 1st Avenue West

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left onto West 2nd Street

    119 m · 12 sec · West 2nd Street

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Grand Avenue

    1961 ft · 1 min · Grand Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn right onto 4th Street Southwest

    1691 ft · 39 sec · 4th Street Southwest

  8. 8

    Turn left onto 4th Avenue Southwest

    2608 ft · 56 sec · 4th Avenue Southwest

  9. 9

    Turn right onto 11th Street Southwest

    2652 ft · 58 sec · 11th Street Southwest

  10. 10

    Turn left onto 11th Avenue Southwest

    1.5 mi · 2 min · 11th Avenue Southwest

  11. 11

    Continue on 215th Avenue

    13.4 mi · 18 min · 215th Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on 130th Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · 130th Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on County Highway 71

    1.1 mi · 2 min · County Highway 71

  14. 14

    Continue on 130th Avenue

    27.8 mi · 38 min · 130th Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on US 71

    1014 ft · 20 sec · US 71

  16. 16

    Take the exit left toward US 20 East: Fort Dodge

    1841 ft · 51 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    142.2 mi · 2 hr 44 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Sergeant Road

    3054 ft · 1 min

  19. 19

    Turn slight right

    37 m · 6 sec

  20. 20

    Turn straight onto Sergeant Road

    3.8 mi · 6 min · Sergeant Road

  21. 21

    Turn right onto University Avenue

    118 m · 9 sec · University Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn straight

    1708 ft · 45 sec

  23. 23

    Turn right

    617 ft · 10 sec

  24. 24

    Continue on Washington Street

    1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto West 4th Street

    23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Milford and Waterloo.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
26 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 20 East
143 mi · 72%
130th Avenue
29.1 mi · 15%
215th Avenue
13.4 mi · 7%
Okoboji Avenue
11.8 mi · 6%
Sergeant Road
3.79 mi · 2%
11th Avenue Southwest
1.53 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 20 East

Merge slight left

142 mi · 02h 44m

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 26m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+45.6 mi
153.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Moorland
01h 43m from Milford
Leave By
10:06 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Milford and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waterloo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 198.8 miles (319.9 km) and usually takes 03h 26m 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?

Moorland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103.7 miles from Milford and 95.1 miles from Waterloo.

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

The direct path is about 153.2 miles (246.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.6 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 10:06 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.47 one way or $52.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Milford and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waterloo.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Milford and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 153.24 mi (246.61 km).

Milford

#1 Milford

City in Dickinson County, Iowa, United States of America

Population3,043
Coordinates43.3246900, -95.1500000
Altitude439
CountryUnited States
Waterloo

#2 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Start: US 71 (-95.149975, 43.32469)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 320 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.02 gal
26.56 L · about $26.47
Round trip
$52.94
14.04 gal · 53.12 L
Estimated CO2
62.4 kg one way
Round trip: 124.8 kg / 275 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $26.47 $52.94
Mid-grade $4.25 $29.86 $59.71
Premium $4.65 $32.67 $65.34
Diesel $5.30 $37.23 $74.47

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Milford and Waterloo. The current time is 22:42:35.

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.