How far is Waterloo, IA from Bedford, IA?
The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Bedford, IA is about 229.3 miles (369 km), with a travel time of about 04h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 176.1 miles (283.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 44m 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 04h 52m.
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.
A city in Polk County, Iowa.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterloo and Bedford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo and Bedford.
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1
Start on West 4th Street
23 m · 6 sec · West 4th Street
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2
Turn right onto Washington Street
117 m · 10 sec · Washington Street
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3
Turn right onto West 5th Street
1622 ft · 34 sec · West 5th Street
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4
Continue on West 4th Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · West 4th Street
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5
Turn slight right onto West Ridgeway Avenue
3073 ft · 1 min · West Ridgeway Avenue
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6
Turn left onto Sergeant Road
1.3 km · 1 min · Sergeant Road
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7
Take the ramp left
1428 ft · 36 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
18.4 mi · 21 min · Avenue of the Saints
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
2083 ft · 59 sec
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10
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.5 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
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11
Turn right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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12
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
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13
Continue on M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
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14
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
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15
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
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16
Turn right onto 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
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17
Keep slight left to continue on North Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
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18
Continue on Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
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19
Turn right
35.9 mi · 43 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
13 mi · 16 min
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21
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 6 min
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22
Keep slight left
60 mi · 1 hr 5 min
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23
Take the exit slight right toward IA 2: Leon, Mount Ayr
2038 ft · 51 sec
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24
Turn right onto State Highway 2
20.4 mi · 29 min · State Highway 2
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25
Continue on South Street
13 mi · 19 min · South Street
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26
Continue on State Highway 2
2.5 mi · 4 min · State Highway 2
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27
Continue on State Highway 2
12.6 mi · 19 min · State Highway 2
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28
Turn left onto County Road N44
2136 ft · 43 sec · County Road N44
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29
Continue on Pearl Street
3007 ft · 1 min · Pearl Street
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30
Turn left onto Madison Street
696 ft · 12 sec · Madison Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Madison Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterloo and Bedford.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 80 west
Keep slight left
60 mi · 01h 05m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waterloo and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Bedford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waterloo to Bedford?
The road trip is about 229.3 miles (369 km) and usually takes 04h 52m 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?
Urbandale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 114.6 miles from Waterloo and 114.7 miles from Bedford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 176.1 miles (283.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.2 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 7:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.51 one way or $61.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waterloo and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Bedford.
Stop Ideas Near Urbandale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Urbandale.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Bedford. Straight-line distance: 176.12 mi (283.44 km).
#1 Waterloo
The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
| Population | 67,292 |
| Coordinates | 42.4927600, -92.3429600 |
| Altitude | 261 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bedford
Town in Taylor County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,380 |
| Coordinates | 40.6669300, -94.7213600 |
| Altitude | 344 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bedford (-94.72136, 40.66693)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 369 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $30.51 | $61.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $34.41 | $68.81 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $37.65 | $75.30 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $42.91 | $85.82 |
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.