How far is Sheldon, MN from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from Sheldon, MN to Waterloo, IA is about 111.3 miles (179.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 90.2 miles (145.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
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
111.34 mi
02h 46m
Flight
90.23 mi
145.21 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sheldon.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
90.23 mi
Kilometers
145.21 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
111.34 mi
Kilometers
179.18 km
Drive Time
02h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Sun, Nov 8, 9:51 AM CST
Return by in Sheldon
Sun, Nov 8, 12:38 PM CST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sheldon
2026-11-08T07:04
Arrive Waterloo
Sun, Nov 8, 9:51 AM CST
Route Timing
02h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:47 AM to 12:47 PM CST

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

Leave by
12:56 PM CST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sheldon
9:30 PM CST
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
Jackson Junction
IA

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

From Sheldon
55.6 mi
01h 23m
To Waterloo
55.7 mi
01h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Nov 8 6:00 AM CST
Wind
7 to 13 mph NW
Destination
57°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Nov 8 6:00 AM CST
Wind
7 to 13 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Broadway Drive

    26 m · 9 sec · Broadway Drive

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Wall Road

    101 m · 17 sec · Wall Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto County Road 11

    6 mi · 15 min · County Road 11

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road 4

    5.3 mi · 13 min · County Road 4

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn right onto State Highway 44

    2.9 mi · 4 min · State Highway 44

  6. 6

    Turn left onto County Road 8

    3 mi · 4 min · County Road 8

  7. 7

    Continue on Locust Road

    15.2 mi · 23 min · Locust Road

  8. 8

    At the end of the road, turn left onto College Drive

    1002 ft · 45 sec · College Drive

  9. 9

    Turn right onto 5th Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · 5th Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Pulpit Rock Road

    3278 ft · 1 min · Pulpit Rock Road

  11. 11

    Turn left

    10.3 mi · 15 min

  12. 12

    Turn right onto South Street

    1043 ft · 49 sec · South Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Charles Street

    1751 ft · 39 sec · Charles Street

  14. 14

    Continue on State Highway 24

    3237 ft · 52 sec · State Highway 24

  15. 15

    Continue on Highway 24

    3252 ft · 50 sec · Highway 24

  16. 16

    Continue on State Highway 24

    2.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 24

  17. 17

    Continue on 1st Street Southeast

    1363 ft · 42 sec · 1st Street Southeast

  18. 18

    Continue on State Highway 24

    12.6 mi · 18 min · State Highway 24

  19. 19

    Turn left onto County Highway V56

    133 m · 9 sec · County Highway V56

  20. 20

    Continue on Union Avenue

    7.1 mi · 10 min · Union Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right onto 270th Street

    2.5 mi · 3 min · 270th Street

  22. 22

    Continue on East Main Street

    1.5 km · 1 min · East Main Street

  23. 23

    Continue on 270th Street

    5.6 mi · 8 min · 270th Street

  24. 24

    Take the ramp left

    2080 ft · 57 sec

  25. 25

    Merge slight left onto McCloud Avenue

    22.4 mi · 26 min · McCloud Avenue

  26. 26

    Continue on Logan Avenue

    8.7 mi · 12 min · Logan Avenue

  27. 27

    Continue on East Mullan Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · East Mullan Avenue

  28. 28

    Turn straight

    1100 ft · 20 sec

  29. 29

    Continue on Washington Street

    1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street

  30. 30

    Turn right onto West 4th Street

    23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sheldon 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
31 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
27.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
McCloud Avenue
22.4 mi · 20%
State Highway 24
15.9 mi · 14%
Locust Road
15.2 mi · 14%
Logan Avenue
8.67 mi · 8%
270th Street
8.53 mi · 8%
Union Avenue
7.1 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

McCloud Avenue

Merge slight left onto McCloud Avenue

22.4 mi · 00h 26m

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
02h 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.1 mi
90.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Jackson Junction
01h 23m from Sheldon
Leave By
12:56 PM CST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Sheldon and Sunny near Waterloo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sheldon to Waterloo?

The road trip is about 111.3 miles (179.2 km) and usually takes 02h 46m 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?

Jackson Junction is a useful midpoint, sitting about 55.6 miles from Sheldon and 55.7 miles from Waterloo.

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

The direct path is about 90.2 miles (145.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.1 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:56 PM CST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.57 one way or $31.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sheldon and Sunny near Waterloo.

Stop Ideas Near Jackson Junction

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Jackson Junction, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Jackson Junction.

RAIL

La Crosse

102 mi away
St. Andrew and Caledonia Streets
RAIL

Winona station

108 mi away
65 East Mark Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sheldon and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 90.23 mi (145.21 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Sheldon

Human settlement in Houston County, Minnesota, United States of America

Population267
Coordinates43.6783000, -91.5932000
Altitude231
CountryUnited States
Waterloo

#2 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Start: Sheldon (-91.5932, 43.6783)
End: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 179 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.93 gal
14.87 L · about $15.57
Round trip
$31.14
7.86 gal · 29.74 L
Estimated CO2
34.9 kg one way
Round trip: 69.9 kg / 154 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $15.57 $31.14
Mid-grade $4.45 $17.47 $34.95
Premium $4.97 $19.53 $39.06
Diesel $6.09 $23.94 $47.88

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 Minnesota · Nov 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Sheldon and Waterloo. The current time is 07:04:28.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.