How far is Osceola, IA from Waterloo, IA?
The driving distance from Osceola, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 159.6 miles (256.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 124.6 miles (200.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 27m 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 43m.
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 Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Osceola and Waterloo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Osceola and Waterloo.
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1
Start on South Main Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
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2
Turn left onto County Road R35
1.2 mi · 2 min · County Road R35
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3
Take the ramp right toward I-35 north: Des Moines
1204 ft · 29 sec
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4
Merge slight left
49.7 mi · 55 min
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5
Keep slight left
4.5 mi · 5 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
2428 ft · 1 min
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7
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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8
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
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9
Turn left onto Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
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10
Continue on South Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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11
Continue on 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
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12
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
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13
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
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14
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
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15
Continue on County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
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16
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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17
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
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18
Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
2388 ft · 58 sec
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19
Merge slight left
18 mi · 21 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Sergeant Road
3054 ft · 1 min
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21
Turn slight right
37 m · 6 sec
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22
Turn straight onto Sergeant Road
3.8 mi · 6 min · Sergeant Road
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23
Turn right onto University Avenue
118 m · 9 sec · University Avenue
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24
Turn straight
1708 ft · 45 sec
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25
Turn right
617 ft · 10 sec
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26
Continue on Washington Street
1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street
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27
Turn right onto West 4th Street
23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Osceola and Waterloo.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I-35 north
Merge slight left
49.7 mi · 00h 55m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Osceola 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 Osceola to Waterloo?
The road trip is about 159.6 miles (256.8 km) and usually takes 02h 43m 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?
Rhodes is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.7 miles from Osceola and 79.8 miles from Waterloo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 124.6 miles (200.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 35 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 1:02 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.23 one way or $42.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Osceola and Chance Rain Showers near Waterloo.
Stop Ideas Near Rhodes
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 Rhodes.
Osceola
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Osceola and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 124.63 mi (200.58 km).
#1 Osceola
City in Clarke County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 5,285 |
| Coordinates | 41.0338900, -93.7655000 |
| Altitude | 348 |
| 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: 257 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.23 | $42.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.94 | $47.89 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.20 | $52.40 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.86 | $59.72 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.