How far is Waterloo, IA from Belle Plaine, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Belle Plaine, IA is about 45.1 miles (72.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 41.3 miles (66.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
45.09 mi
01h 07m
Flight
41.3 mi
66.47 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Waterloo.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
41.3 mi
Kilometers
66.47 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
45.09 mi
Kilometers
72.56 km
Drive Time
01h 07m

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 01h 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Belle Plaine
Sun, Apr 12, 8:41 AM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Sun, Apr 12, 9:49 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-04-12T07:34
Arrive Belle Plaine
Sun, Apr 12, 8:41 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:14 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waterloo
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Dysart
IA

Former town, now a suburb of Kirkcaldy, Scotland

From Waterloo
22.6 mi
00h 33m
To Belle Plaine
22.6 mi
00h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 23 mph SSW
Destination
72°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo and Belle Plaine.

  1. 1

    Start on West 4th Street

    23 m · 6 sec · West 4th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Washington Street

    2684 ft · 56 sec · Washington Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West 11th Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · West 11th Street

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto East Ridgeway Avenue

    604 ft · 24 sec · East Ridgeway Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn sharp left onto Hammond Avenue

    1.3 km · 2 min · Hammond Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn right onto East San Marnan Drive

    2661 ft · 58 sec · East San Marnan Drive

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Hawkeye Road

    11 mi · 17 min · Hawkeye Road

  8. 8

    Continue on State Highway 21

    8 mi · 12 min · State Highway 21

  9. 9

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 58th Street

    2.5 mi · 3 min · 58th Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Holsted Street

    20.3 mi · 29 min · Holsted Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto 7th Avenue

    14 m · 1 sec · 7th Avenue

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 7th Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Holsted Street
20.3 mi · 45%
Hawkeye Road
11 mi · 24%
State Highway 21
8.02 mi · 18%
58th Street
2.49 mi · 6%
West 11th Street
1.28 mi · 3%
Hammond Avenue
0.83 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Holsted Street

Turn right onto Holsted Street

20.3 mi · 00h 29m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 07m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.8 mi
41.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dysart
00h 33m from Waterloo
Leave By
4:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Waterloo and Rain Showers Likely near Belle Plaine.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Waterloo to Belle Plaine?

The road trip is about 45.1 miles (72.6 km) and usually takes 01h 07m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Dysart is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.6 miles from Waterloo and 22.6 miles from Belle Plaine.

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

The direct path is about 41.3 miles (66.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.00 one way or $11.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Waterloo and Rain Showers Likely near Belle Plaine.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Belle Plaine. Straight-line distance: 41.3 mi (66.47 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Belle Plaine

#2 Belle Plaine

City in Iowa, United States

Population2,417
Coordinates41.8969400, -92.2782400
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Belle Plaine (-92.27824, 41.89694)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 73 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.59 gal
6.02 L · about $6.00
Round trip
$11.99
3.18 gal · 12.04 L
Estimated CO2
14.1 kg one way
Round trip: 28.3 kg / 62 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.00 $11.99
Mid-grade $4.25 $6.76 $13.52
Premium $4.65 $7.40 $14.80
Diesel $5.30 $8.43 $16.87

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 Waterloo and Belle Plaine. The current time is 07:34:23.

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.