How far is Roland, IA from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from Roland, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 88.9 miles (143.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 63.3 miles (101.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 52m 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
88.91 mi
01h 26m
Flight
63.35 mi
101.95 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Roland.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
63.35 mi
Kilometers
101.95 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
88.91 mi
Kilometers
143.08 km
Drive Time
01h 26m

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 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Sun, May 31, 4:26 AM CDT
Return by in Roland
Sun, May 31, 5:52 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Roland
2026-05-31T02:59
Arrive Waterloo
Sun, May 31, 4:26 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:26 AM to 11:26 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:38 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Roland
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
Owasa
IA

Human settlement in Hardin County, Iowa, United States of America

From Roland
44.4 mi
00h 43m
To Waterloo
44.5 mi
00h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 15 mph SE
Destination
78°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Roland and Waterloo.

  1. 1

    Start on East Maple Street

    2659 ft · 53 sec · East Maple Street

  2. 2

    Continue on 130th Street

    2.9 mi · 5 min · 130th Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward I-35 north: Minneapolis

    2042 ft · 50 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    18.8 mi · 20 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East: Waterloo

    2998 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    60.6 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Sergeant Road

    3054 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Turn slight right

    37 m · 6 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto Sergeant Road

    3.8 mi · 6 min · Sergeant Road

  10. 10

    Turn right onto University Avenue

    118 m · 9 sec · University Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn straight

    1708 ft · 45 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right

    617 ft · 10 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on Washington Street

    1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto West 4th Street

    23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Roland and Waterloo.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 20 East
61.2 mi · 69%
I-35 north
19.2 mi · 22%
Sergeant Road
3.79 mi · 4%
130th Street
2.93 mi · 3%
US 63
0.58 mi · 1%
East Maple Street
0.5 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 20 East

Merge slight left

60.6 mi · 01h 10m

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 26m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.6 mi
63.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Owasa
00h 43m from Roland
Leave By
3:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Roland and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight 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 Roland to Waterloo?

The road trip is about 88.9 miles (143.1 km) and usually takes 01h 26m 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?

Owasa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44.4 miles from Roland and 44.5 miles from Waterloo.

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

The direct path is about 63.3 miles (101.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.6 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 3:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.84 one way or $23.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Roland and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waterloo.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Roland and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 63.35 mi (101.95 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Roland

City in Iowa

Population1,252
Coordinates42.1663700, -93.5018800
Altitude312
CountryUnited States
Waterloo

#2 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Start: East Maple Street (-93.50188, 42.166381)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 143 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.14 gal
11.88 L · about $11.84
Round trip
$23.68
6.28 gal · 23.76 L
Estimated CO2
27.9 kg one way
Round trip: 55.8 kg / 123 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $11.84 $23.68
Mid-grade $4.25 $13.35 $26.71
Premium $4.65 $14.61 $29.23
Diesel $5.30 $16.65 $33.31

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 · May 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Roland and Waterloo. The current time is 02:59:59.

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.