How far is Prairie City, IA from Waterloo, IA?
The driving distance from Prairie City, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 104.5 miles (168.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 76.9 miles (123.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 50m 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 01h 55m.
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 Marshall County, Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Prairie City and Waterloo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prairie City and Waterloo.
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1
Start on East 5th Street
105 m · 20 sec · East 5th Street
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2
Turn left onto North State Street
1981 ft · 33 sec · North State Street
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3
Continue on State Highway 117
4.3 mi · 6 min · State Highway 117
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4
Continue on South League Road
2151 ft · 42 sec · South League Road
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5
Turn left onto East State Street
1.1 km · 1 min · East State Street
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6
Turn right onto South Walnut Street
2302 ft · 39 sec · South Walnut Street
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7
Continue on State Highway 117
11.6 mi · 17 min · State Highway 117
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8
Continue on State Highway 117
105 m · 8 sec · State Highway 117
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9
Take the ramp right toward IA 330 north: Marshalltown
1920 ft · 53 sec
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10
Merge slight left
21 mi · 25 min
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11
Turn left onto Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
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12
Continue on South Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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13
Continue on 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
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14
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
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15
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
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16
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
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17
Continue on County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
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18
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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19
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
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20
Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
2388 ft · 58 sec
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21
Merge slight left
18 mi · 21 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Sergeant Road
3054 ft · 1 min
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23
Turn slight right
37 m · 6 sec
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24
Turn straight onto Sergeant Road
3.8 mi · 6 min · Sergeant Road
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25
Turn right onto University Avenue
118 m · 9 sec · University Avenue
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26
Turn straight
1708 ft · 45 sec
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27
Turn right
617 ft · 10 sec
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28
Continue on Washington Street
1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street
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29
Turn right onto West 4th Street
23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Prairie City and Waterloo.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
IA 330 north
Merge slight left
21 mi · 00h 25m
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 Sunny leaving Prairie City and Sunny near Waterloo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Prairie City to Waterloo?
The road trip is about 104.5 miles (168.1 km) and usually takes 01h 55m 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?
Albion is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.2 miles from Prairie City and 52.3 miles from Waterloo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 76.9 miles (123.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.91 one way or $27.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Prairie City and Sunny near Waterloo.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Prairie City and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 76.84 mi (123.67 km).
#1 Prairie City
City in Jasper County, Iowa
| Population | 1,718 |
| Coordinates | 41.5994300, -93.2352100 |
| Altitude | 283 |
| 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: 168 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $13.91 | $27.83 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $15.69 | $31.39 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $17.17 | $34.35 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $19.57 | $39.14 |
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 · Jun 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.