How far is North Liberty, IA from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from North Liberty, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 72.9 miles (117.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 12m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 64 miles (103 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 25m 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
72.96 mi
01h 12m
Flight
64.01 mi
103.01 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from North Liberty.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
64.01 mi
Kilometers
103.01 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
72.96 mi
Kilometers
117.42 km
Drive Time
01h 12m

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 12m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Sun, Apr 19, 10:30 AM CDT
Return by in North Liberty
Sun, Apr 19, 11:43 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North Liberty
2026-04-19T09:17
Arrive Waterloo
Sun, Apr 19, 10:30 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 12m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:13 AM to 11:13 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:04 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in North Liberty
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Center Point
IA

City in Iowa

From North Liberty
36.5 mi
00h 36m
To Waterloo
36.5 mi
00h 36m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph NW
Destination
52°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Liberty and Waterloo.

  1. 1

    Start on North Dubuque Street

    48 m · 5 sec · North Dubuque Street

  2. 2

    Continue on North Front Street

    854 ft · 28 sec · North Front Street

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward West Penn Street

    56 m · 4 sec · West Penn Street

  4. 4

    Exit the rotary onto West Penn Street

    2.2 mi · 4 min · West Penn Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward I 380 North, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids

    1601 ft · 39 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    66.9 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Avenue of the Saints

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo

    2.9 mi · 5 min

  8. 8

    Continue on Washington Street

    2296 ft · 1 min · Washington Street

  9. 9

    Turn left onto West 4th Street

    121 m · 13 sec · West 4th Street

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between North Liberty 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
10 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
66.9 mi · 92%
I-380 north
2.95 mi · 4%
West Penn Street
2.2 mi · 3%
Washington Street
0.43 mi · 1%
I 380 North
0.3 mi
North Front Street
0.16 mi
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

66.9 mi · 01h 14m

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 12m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.9 mi
64 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Center Point
00h 36m from North Liberty
Leave By
4:04 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving North Liberty and Sunny near Waterloo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from North Liberty to Waterloo?

The road trip is about 72.9 miles (117.4 km) and usually takes 01h 12m 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?

Center Point is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.5 miles from North Liberty and 36.5 miles from Waterloo.

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

The direct path is about 64 miles (103 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:04 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.73 one way or $19.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around North Liberty and Sunny near Waterloo.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North Liberty and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 64.01 mi (103.01 km).

North Liberty

#1 North Liberty

City in Johnson County, Iowa, United States of America

Population19,736
Coordinates41.7491800, -91.5979500
Altitude238
CountryUnited States
Waterloo

#2 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Start: North Dubuque Street (-91.597963, 41.749171)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 117 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.58 gal
9.75 L · about $9.73
Round trip
$19.46
5.16 gal · 19.5 L
Estimated CO2
22.9 kg one way
Round trip: 45.9 kg / 101 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.73 $19.46
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.97 $21.95
Premium $4.65 $12.01 $24.01
Diesel $5.30 $13.68 $27.37

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 North Liberty and Waterloo. The current time is 09:17:44.

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.