How far is Muscatine, IA from Waterloo, IA?
The driving distance from Muscatine, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 121.8 miles (196 km), with a travel time of about 02h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 99.5 miles (160.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 02h 00m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Johnson County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Muscatine and Waterloo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Muscatine and Waterloo.
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1
Start on Walnut Street
48 m · 11 sec · Walnut Street
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2
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
110 m · 18 sec · East 3rd Street
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3
Turn right onto Mulberry Avenue
101 m · 10 sec · Mulberry Avenue
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward East 2nd Street
59 m · 4 sec · East 2nd Street
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5
Exit the roundabout onto East 2nd Street
1 km · 1 min · East 2nd Street
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6
Continue on Park Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Park Avenue
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7
Continue on State Highway 38
7.6 mi · 10 min · State Highway 38
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8
Continue straight
4.9 mi · 7 min
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9
Take the ramp straight
1468 ft · 36 sec
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10
Merge slight left
30.9 mi · 34 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
1850 ft · 45 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
3219 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
70.8 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Avenue of the Saints
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
2.9 mi · 5 min
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15
Continue on Washington Street
2296 ft · 1 min · Washington Street
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16
Turn left onto West 4th Street
121 m · 13 sec · West 4th Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Muscatine and Waterloo.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Avenue of the Saints
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
70.8 mi · 01h 19m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Muscatine and 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 Muscatine to Waterloo?
The road trip is about 121.8 miles (196 km) and usually takes 02h 00m 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?
Shueyville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.8 miles from Muscatine and 61 miles from Waterloo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 99.5 miles (160.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.3 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 2:28 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.22 one way or $32.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Muscatine and Chance Rain Showers near Waterloo.
Stop Ideas Near Shueyville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Shueyville.
Davenport, Iowa
Mount Pleasant
Rock Island, IL
Moline, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Muscatine and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 99.54 mi (160.19 km).
#1 Muscatine
City in and county seat of Muscatine County, Iowa
| Population | 23,523 |
| Coordinates | 41.4244700, -91.0432100 |
| Altitude | 177 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Waterloo
The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
| Population | 67,292 |
| Coordinates | 42.4927600, -92.3429600 |
| Altitude | 261 |
| Country | United States |
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 196 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.22 | $32.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.29 | $36.58 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.01 | $40.02 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $22.81 | $45.61 |
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 · May 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.