How far is Sioux Center, IA from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from Sioux Center, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 239 miles (384.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 198.5 miles (319.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 56m 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
239.07 mi
03h 58m
Flight
198.51 mi
319.47 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sioux Center.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
198.51 mi
Kilometers
319.47 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
239.07 mi
Kilometers
384.75 km
Drive Time
03h 58m

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.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Sun, Apr 26, 7:09 PM CDT
Return by in Sioux Center
Sun, Apr 26, 11:07 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sioux Center
2026-04-26T15:11
Arrive Waterloo
Sun, Apr 26, 7:09 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:58 AM to 11:58 AM CDT

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

Leave by
9:04 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sioux Center
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
Rockwell City
IA

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

From Sioux Center
120.5 mi
01h 59m
To Waterloo
118.6 mi
01h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 26 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph E
Destination
71°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 26 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 16 mph ESE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sioux Center and Waterloo.

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Avenue

    5.7 mi · 9 min · North Main Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 450th Street

    5 mi · 7 min · 450th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Highway 10 West

    2721 ft · 58 sec · Highway 10 West

  4. 4

    Continue on 8th Street Southwest

    1.2 km · 2 min · 8th Street Southwest

  5. 5

    Continue on 450th Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · 450th Street

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 450th Street

    24 m · 5 sec · 450th Street

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto 450th Street

    2 mi · 3 min · 450th Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Kennedy Avenue

    1.4 km · 1 min · Kennedy Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on State Highway 10

    1587 ft · 25 sec · State Highway 10

  10. 10

    Continue on 460th Street

    1.8 mi · 2 min · 460th Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Kiwi Avenue

    5 mi · 7 min · Kiwi Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on County Road L14

    7 mi · 10 min · County Road L14

  13. 13

    Continue on State Highway 140

    15.1 mi · 21 min · State Highway 140

  14. 14

    Turn left onto 320th Street

    2 mi · 3 min · 320th Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Shamrock Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · Shamrock Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on Lee Avenue

    5.4 mi · 8 min · Lee Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Highway 20

    19 mi · 23 min · Highway 20

  18. 18

    Continue on United States Highway 20

    8.3 mi · 10 min · United States Highway 20

  19. 19

    Continue on 220th Street

    154.8 mi · 2 hr 59 min · 220th Street

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Sergeant Road

    3054 ft · 1 min

  21. 21

    Turn slight right

    37 m · 6 sec

  22. 22

    Turn straight onto Sergeant Road

    3.8 mi · 6 min · Sergeant Road

  23. 23

    Turn right onto University Avenue

    118 m · 9 sec · University Avenue

  24. 24

    Turn straight

    1708 ft · 45 sec

  25. 25

    Turn right

    617 ft · 10 sec

  26. 26

    Continue on Washington Street

    1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street

  27. 27

    Turn right onto West 4th Street

    23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sioux Center 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
28 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
0 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
155 mi · 65%
Highway 20
19 mi · 8%
State Highway 140
15.1 mi · 6%
United States Highway 20
8.31 mi · 3%
450th Street
7.78 mi · 3%
County Road L14
7.02 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

220th Street

Continue on 220th Street

155 mi · 02h 59m

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
03h 58m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+40.5 mi
198.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Rockwell City
01h 59m from Sioux Center
Leave By
9:04 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Sioux Center and Mostly Sunny near Waterloo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sioux Center to Waterloo?

The road trip is about 239 miles (384.7 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?

Rockwell City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 120.5 miles from Sioux Center and 118.6 miles from Waterloo.

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

The direct path is about 198.5 miles (319.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.5 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 9:04 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.83 one way or $63.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 75 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Sioux Center and Mostly Sunny near Waterloo.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sioux Center and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 198.51 mi (319.47 km).

Sioux Center

#1 Sioux Center

City in Sioux County, Iowa, United States of America

Population7,665
Coordinates43.0797100, -96.1755800
Altitude446
CountryUnited States
Waterloo

#2 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Start: North Main Avenue (-96.175559, 43.079742)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 385 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.44 gal
31.93 L · about $31.83
Round trip
$63.65
16.88 gal · 63.86 L
Estimated CO2
75 kg one way
Round trip: 150 kg / 331 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $31.83 $63.65
Mid-grade $4.25 $35.90 $71.79
Premium $4.65 $39.28 $78.56
Diesel $5.30 $44.77 $89.53

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 26, 2026

There is no time difference between Sioux Center and Waterloo. The current time is 15:11:44.

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.