How far is Red Oak, IA from Waterloo, IA?
The driving distance from Red Oak, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 247.4 miles (398.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 180.4 miles (290.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 58m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
A city in Polk County, Iowa.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Red Oak and Waterloo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Oak and Waterloo.
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1
Start on East Reed Street
1980 ft · 1 min · East Reed Street
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2
Turn right onto North Broadway Street
14 mi · 21 min · North Broadway Street
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3
Continue on M Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · M Avenue
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4
Continue on 550th Street
4.8 mi · 7 min · 550th Street
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5
Continue on Adair Street
1.5 km · 1 min · Adair Street
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6
Continue on 550th Street
5.3 mi · 8 min · 550th Street
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7
Turn right onto White Pole Road
8.9 mi · 13 min · White Pole Road
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8
Continue on Southwest 7th Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Southwest 7th Street
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9
Continue on West 7th Street
1 km · 1 min · West 7th Street
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10
Continue on White Pole Road
757 ft · 22 sec · White Pole Road
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11
Continue on East 7th Street
3.5 mi · 6 min · East 7th Street
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12
Turn left onto 650th Street
6.4 mi · 9 min · 650th Street
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13
Take the exit right
62 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
14.4 mi · 17 min
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15
Keep slight left
4.5 mi · 5 min
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16
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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17
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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18
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
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19
Turn left onto Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
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20
Continue on South Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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21
Continue on 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
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22
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
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23
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
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24
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
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25
Continue on County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
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26
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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27
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
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28
Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
2388 ft · 58 sec
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29
Merge slight left
18 mi · 21 min
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30
Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Sergeant Road
3054 ft · 1 min
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31
Turn slight right
37 m · 6 sec
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32
Turn straight onto Sergeant Road
3.8 mi · 6 min · Sergeant Road
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33
Turn right onto University Avenue
118 m · 9 sec · University Avenue
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34
Turn straight
1708 ft · 45 sec
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35
Turn right
617 ft · 10 sec
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36
Continue on Washington Street
1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street
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37
Turn right onto West 4th Street
23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Red Oak and Waterloo.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
650th Street
Take the exit right
62 mi · 01h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Red Oak 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 Red Oak to Waterloo?
The road trip is about 247.4 miles (398.2 km) and usually takes 03h 58m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Urbandale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 114.6 miles from Red Oak and 132.8 miles from Waterloo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 180.4 miles (290.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 67 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:02 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.92 one way or $65.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Red Oak and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waterloo.
Stop Ideas Near Urbandale
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 Urbandale.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Red Oak and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 180.48 mi (290.45 km).
#1 Red Oak
City in and county seat of Montgomery County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 5,271 |
| Coordinates | 41.0097200, -95.2255500 |
| Altitude | 320 |
| 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: 398 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.92 | $65.84 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.13 | $74.26 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.63 | $81.26 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.30 | $92.61 |
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 · Apr 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.