How far is Spirit Lake, IA from Waterloo, IA?
The driving distance from Spirit Lake, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 198.9 miles (320.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 153.6 miles (247.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 25m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Worth County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Spirit Lake and Waterloo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spirit Lake and Waterloo.
-
1
Start on Hill Avenue
48 m · 9 sec · Hill Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto 18th Street
1757 ft · 47 sec · 18th Street
-
3
Continue on US Highway 71
5.5 mi · 8 min · US Highway 71
-
4
Continue on 150th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 150th Street
-
5
Continue on 1st Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · 1st Avenue
-
6
Continue on Highway 9
1.4 mi · 2 min · Highway 9
-
7
Continue on State Highway 9
3.3 mi · 5 min · State Highway 9
-
8
Continue on West Central Avenue
2.9 mi · 5 min · West Central Avenue
-
9
Continue on State Highway 9
15.2 mi · 23 min · State Highway 9
-
10
Continue on 4th Avenue
3.1 mi · 5 min · 4th Avenue
-
11
Continue on 430th Street
6.1 mi · 9 min · 430th Street
-
12
Continue on 4th Avenue West
1.1 km · 59 sec · 4th Avenue West
-
13
Continue on State Highway 9
4.6 mi · 6 min · State Highway 9
-
14
Continue on US Highway 169
6.4 mi · 9 min · US Highway 169
-
15
Continue on State Highway 9
6.9 mi · 9 min · State Highway 9
-
16
Continue on 1st Avenue West
2648 ft · 1 min · 1st Avenue West
-
17
Continue on State Highway 9
16 mi · 23 min · State Highway 9
-
18
Turn right onto 170th Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · 170th Avenue
-
19
Turn left onto 400th Street
5.7 mi · 8 min · 400th Street
-
20
At the end of the road, turn right onto 225th Avenue
75 m · 4 sec · 225th Avenue
-
21
Continue on 230th Avenue
5.1 mi · 7 min · 230th Avenue
-
22
Turn left onto State Highway 9
5 mi · 7 min · State Highway 9
-
23
Continue on 350th Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · 350th Street
-
24
Continue on Evergreen Avenue
1.1 mi · 1 min · Evergreen Avenue
-
25
Continue on 360th Street
2631 ft · 41 sec · 360th Street
-
26
Continue on North Street
2493 ft · 39 sec · North Street
-
27
Continue on State Highway 9
1.4 km · 1 min · State Highway 9
-
28
Take the ramp right
1988 ft · 49 sec
-
29
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
12.2 mi · 13 min · Avenue of the Saints
-
30
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
2212 ft · 27 sec
-
31
Turn slight right onto US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
81.3 mi · 1 hr 34 min
-
32
Take the exit slight right toward US 218 south: Waterloo
97 m · 8 sec
-
33
Continue on US 218 south: Waterloo
1625 ft · 40 sec
-
34
Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway
-
35
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown Riverfront, Sullivan Brothers Convention Center
2120 ft · 52 sec
-
36
Turn straight onto Washington Street
876 ft · 21 sec · Washington Street
-
37
Turn right onto West 4th Street
23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street
-
38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Spirit Lake and Waterloo.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 18 East
Turn slight right onto US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
81.3 mi · 01h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Spirit Lake and Sunny near Waterloo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Spirit Lake to Waterloo?
The road trip is about 198.9 miles (320.1 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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?
Hanlontown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99.2 miles from Spirit Lake and 99.7 miles from Waterloo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 153.6 miles (247.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.47 one way or $52.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Spirit Lake and Sunny near Waterloo.
Stop Ideas Near Hanlontown
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Forest City - City Hall - Municipal Services
Clear Lake City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hanlontown.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Spirit Lake and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 153.58 mi (247.17 km).
#1 Spirit Lake
City in Dickinson County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 5,251 |
| Coordinates | 43.4221800, -95.1022200 |
| Altitude | 449 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Waterloo
The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
| Population | 67,292 |
| Coordinates | 42.4927600, -92.3429600 |
| Altitude | 261 |
| Country | United States |
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 320 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.47 | $52.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.86 | $59.71 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.67 | $65.34 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.23 | $74.47 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.