How far is Villisca, IA from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from Villisca, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 220.3 miles (354.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 173.5 miles (279.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 37m 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
220.37 mi
03h 48m
Flight
173.51 mi
279.23 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Villisca.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
173.51 mi
Kilometers
279.23 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
220.37 mi
Kilometers
354.65 km
Drive Time
03h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Sun, Apr 12, 7:50 AM CDT
Return by in Villisca
Sun, Apr 12, 11:39 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Villisca
2026-04-12T04:02
Arrive Waterloo
Sun, Apr 12, 7:50 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:49 AM to 11:49 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
9:22 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Villisca
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
Johnston
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Villisca
112.3 mi
01h 54m
To Waterloo
108.1 mi
01h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
18 to 23 mph SSW
Destination
71°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 23 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East 3rd Street

    2595 ft · 54 sec · East 3rd Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto South U Avenue

    1924 ft · 58 sec · South U Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto West High Street

    99 m · 10 sec · West High Street

  4. 4

    Turn right

    32.6 mi · 44 min

  5. 5

    Turn right onto East 7th Street

    2 mi · 3 min · East 7th Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto 650th Street

    6.4 mi · 9 min · 650th Street

  7. 7

    Take the exit right

    62 mi · 1 hr 7 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City

    14.4 mi · 17 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    4.5 mi · 5 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant

    2428 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road

    35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Marsh Avenue

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on South Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  15. 15

    Continue on 160th Street

    4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Sanford Avenue

    15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn right onto 240th Street

    6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto M Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on County Road T37

    1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37

  20. 20

    Turn sharp right onto 210th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto N Avenue

    4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue

  22. 22

    Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo

    2388 ft · 58 sec

  23. 23

    Merge slight left

    18 mi · 21 min

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Sergeant Road

    3054 ft · 1 min

  25. 25

    Turn slight right

    37 m · 6 sec

  26. 26

    Turn straight onto Sergeant Road

    3.8 mi · 6 min · Sergeant Road

  27. 27

    Turn right onto University Avenue

    118 m · 9 sec · University Avenue

  28. 28

    Turn straight

    1708 ft · 45 sec

  29. 29

    Turn right

    617 ft · 10 sec

  30. 30

    Continue on Washington Street

    1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street

  31. 31

    Turn right onto West 4th Street

    23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street

  32. 32

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
32 steps
18 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
650th Street
68.4 mi · 31%
Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 16%
I 35
18.9 mi · 9%
US 20 East
18.4 mi · 8%
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 7%
240th Street
6.28 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

650th Street

Take the exit right

62 mi · 01h 07m

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 48m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+46.8 mi
173.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Johnston
01h 54m from Villisca
Leave By
9:22 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Villisca and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Waterloo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 220.3 miles (354.6 km) and usually takes 03h 48m 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?

Johnston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 112.3 miles from Villisca and 108.1 miles from Waterloo.

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

The direct path is about 173.5 miles (279.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.8 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 9:22 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.34 one way or $58.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Villisca and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Waterloo.

Stop Ideas Near Johnston

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Johnston, 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 Johnston.

RAIL

Osceola

71 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Creston

88 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Villisca and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 173.51 mi (279.23 km).

Villisca

#1 Villisca

City in Montgomery County, Iowa, United States

Population1,143
Coordinates40.9297100, -94.9760900
Altitude328
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 3rd Street (-94.976093, 40.929569)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 355 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.78 gal
29.44 L · about $29.34
Round trip
$58.68
15.56 gal · 58.88 L
Estimated CO2
69.1 kg one way
Round trip: 138.3 kg / 305 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $29.34 $58.68
Mid-grade $4.25 $33.09 $66.18
Premium $4.65 $36.21 $72.42
Diesel $5.30 $41.27 $82.53

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Villisca and Waterloo. The current time is 04:02:03.

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.