How far is Nashua, IA from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from Nashua, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 40.1 miles (64.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 33.2 miles (53.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
40.07 mi
00h 39m
Flight
33.26 mi
53.53 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Nashua.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
33.26 mi
Kilometers
53.53 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
40.07 mi
Kilometers
64.48 km
Drive Time
00h 39m

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 00h 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Sat, Apr 18, 4:50 AM CDT
Return by in Nashua
Sat, Apr 18, 5:29 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Nashua
2026-04-18T04:10
Arrive Waterloo
Sat, Apr 18, 4:50 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:39 AM to 7:39 PM CDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Nashua
10:00 PM CDT
Flexible departure

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
Waverly
IA

City in Bremer County, Iowa, United States

From Nashua
20 mi
00h 19m
To Waterloo
20.1 mi
00h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
45°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
18 to 23 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 Nashua and Waterloo.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    612 ft · 32 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Sample Street

    1.4 km · 1 min · Sample Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left

    1812 ft · 50 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    32 mi · 37 min · Avenue of the Saints

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 218 south: Waterloo

    97 m · 8 sec

  6. 6

    Continue on US 218 south: Waterloo

    1625 ft · 40 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway

    5.8 mi · 7 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown Riverfront, Sullivan Brothers Convention Center

    2120 ft · 52 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto Washington Street

    876 ft · 21 sec · Washington Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto West 4th Street

    23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Nashua 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
11 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
27.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
32 mi · 80%
Leo P Rooff Expressway
5.79 mi · 14%
Sample Street
1.2 mi · 3%
Downtown Riverfront
0.4 mi · 1%
US 218 south
0.37 mi · 1%
Washington Street
0.17 mi
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

32 mi · 00h 37m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 39m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.9 mi
33.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Waverly
00h 19m from Nashua
Leave By
7:12 PM CDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Nashua 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 Nashua to Waterloo?

The road trip is about 40.1 miles (64.5 km) and usually takes 00h 39m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Waverly is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20 miles from Nashua and 20.1 miles from Waterloo.

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

The direct path is about 33.2 miles (53.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.9 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.32 one way or $10.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Nashua and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waterloo.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Nashua and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 33.26 mi (53.53 km).

Nashua

#1 Nashua

City in Chickasaw and Floyd counties in Iowa, United States

Population1,571
Coordinates42.9527500, -92.5363000
Altitude297
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 (-92.536263, 42.95275)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 64 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 00m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 48m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.41 gal
5.35 L · about $5.32
Round trip
$10.63
2.82 gal · 10.7 L
Estimated CO2
12.5 kg one way
Round trip: 25.1 kg / 55 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $5.32 $10.63
Mid-grade $4.25 $6.00 $11.99
Premium $4.65 $6.56 $13.12
Diesel $5.30 $7.48 $14.96

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Nashua and Waterloo. The current time is 04:10:38.

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.