How far is Rockwell City, IA from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from Rockwell City, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 124.3 miles (200.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 117 miles (188.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 58m 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
124.35 mi
01h 59m
Flight
117 mi
188.29 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rockwell City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
117 mi
Kilometers
188.29 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
124.35 mi
Kilometers
200.13 km
Drive Time
01h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Tue, Jun 2, 3:58 AM CDT
Return by in Rockwell City
Tue, Jun 2, 5:57 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rockwell City
2026-06-02T01:59
Arrive Waterloo
Tue, Jun 2, 3:58 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:59 AM to 11:59 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:32 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rockwell City
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Williams
IA

City in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States

From Rockwell City
62.1 mi
00h 59m
To Waterloo
62.3 mi
00h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph SE
Destination
81°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph ESE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Rockwell City and Waterloo.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rockwell City and Waterloo.

  1. 1

    Start on 4th Street

    58 m · 10 sec · 4th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Main Street

    914 ft · 45 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 1st Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · 1st Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Ogden Avenue

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Ogden Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right

    115.5 mi · 2 hr 13 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Sergeant Road

    3054 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Turn slight right

    37 m · 6 sec

  8. 8

    Turn straight onto Sergeant Road

    3.8 mi · 6 min · Sergeant Road

  9. 9

    Turn right onto University Avenue

    118 m · 9 sec · University Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn straight

    1708 ft · 45 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right

    617 ft · 10 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on Washington Street

    1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto West 4th Street

    23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockwell City 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
14 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Sergeant Road
3.79 mi · 3%
Ogden Avenue
2.48 mi · 2%
1st Street
1.21 mi · 1%
US 63
0.58 mi
Washington Street
0.22 mi
Main Street
0.17 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

116 mi · 02h 13m

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 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.3 mi
117 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Williams
00h 59m from Rockwell City
Leave By
2:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Rockwell 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 Rockwell City to Waterloo?

The road trip is about 124.3 miles (200.1 km) and usually takes 01h 59m 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?

Williams is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.1 miles from Rockwell City and 62.3 miles from Waterloo.

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

The direct path is about 117 miles (188.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.3 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 2:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.55 one way or $33.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Rockwell City and Sunny near Waterloo.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rockwell City and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 117 mi (188.29 km).

Rockwell City

#1 Rockwell City

City in and county seat of Calhoun County, Iowa, United States

Population2,082
Coordinates42.3952600, -94.6338700
Altitude375
CountryUnited States
Waterloo

#2 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Start: 4th Street (-94.633467, 42.395262)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 200 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.39 gal
16.61 L · about $16.55
Round trip
$33.11
8.78 gal · 33.22 L
Estimated CO2
39 kg one way
Round trip: 78 kg / 172 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.55 $33.11
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.67 $37.34
Premium $4.65 $20.43 $40.86
Diesel $5.30 $23.28 $46.57

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Rockwell City and Waterloo. The current time is 01:59:23.

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.