How far is Sibley, IA from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from Sibley, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 241.3 miles (388.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 183.4 miles (295.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
241.35 mi
04h 00m
Flight
183.42 mi
295.18 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sibley.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
183.42 mi
Kilometers
295.18 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
241.35 mi
Kilometers
388.42 km
Drive Time
04h 00m

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 04h 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Wed, Apr 22, 11:40 PM CDT
Return by in Sibley
Thu, Apr 23, 3:40 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sibley
2026-04-22T19:40
Arrive Waterloo
Wed, Apr 22, 11:40 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:00 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sibley
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Northwood
IA

City in Iowa

From Sibley
132.2 mi
02h 00m
To Waterloo
109.2 mi
02h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph SSE
Destination
80°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 2nd Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 2nd Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue on Old Highway 60

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Old Highway 60

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Ia 9th Street

    1 mi · 1 min · Ia 9th Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left toward Iowa 60: Worthington MN

    2038 ft · 27 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    4.8 mi · 6 min

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    5.1 mi · 6 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    5.5 mi · 7 min

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    34 m · 7 sec

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout

    1.2 km · 1 min

  10. 10

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Oxford Street

    29 m · 5 sec

  11. 11

    Exit the rotary

    2635 ft · 53 sec

  12. 12

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward I 90: Albert Lea

    75 m · 14 sec

  13. 13

    Exit the roundabout onto I 90: Albert Lea

    114.6 mi · 2 hr 3 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Des Moines

    2668 ft · 1 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    40.3 mi · 43 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City

    2212 ft · 27 sec

  17. 17

    Turn slight right onto US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City

    81.3 mi · 1 hr 34 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward US 218 south: Waterloo

    97 m · 8 sec

  19. 19

    Continue on US 218 south: Waterloo

    1625 ft · 40 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway

    5.8 mi · 7 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown Riverfront, Sullivan Brothers Convention Center

    2120 ft · 52 sec

  22. 22

    Turn straight onto Washington Street

    876 ft · 21 sec · Washington Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto West 4th Street

    23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sibley 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
24 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
14
3 merges, 11 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 90
115 mi · 47%
US 18 East
81.7 mi · 34%
I 35 South
40.8 mi · 17%
Iowa 60
16.6 mi · 7%
Leo P Rooff Expressway
5.79 mi · 2%
2nd Avenue
1.35 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 90

Exit the roundabout onto I 90: Albert Lea

115 mi · 02h 03m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 00m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+57.9 mi
183.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Northwood
02h 00m from Sibley
Leave By
9:00 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Sibley and Sunny near Waterloo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 241.3 miles (388.4 km) and usually takes 04h 00m 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?

Northwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 132.2 miles from Sibley and 109.2 miles from Waterloo.

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

The direct path is about 183.4 miles (295.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.9 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 9:00 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.13 one way or $64.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 75.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sibley and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 183.42 mi (295.18 km).

Sibley

#1 Sibley

City in Iowa

Population2,586
Coordinates43.3991400, -95.7519600
Altitude462
CountryUnited States
Waterloo

#2 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Start: 2nd Avenue (-95.751885, 43.399134)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 388 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 01m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.52 gal
32.24 L · about $32.13
Round trip
$64.26
17.04 gal · 64.48 L
Estimated CO2
75.7 kg one way
Round trip: 151.4 kg / 334 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $32.13 $64.26
Mid-grade $4.25 $36.24 $72.47
Premium $4.65 $39.65 $79.30
Diesel $5.30 $45.19 $90.38

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Sibley and Waterloo. The current time is 19:40:03.

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.