How far is Waterloo, IA from Carroll, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Carroll, IA is about 159.2 miles (256.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 19m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 132.4 miles (213 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 39m 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
159.21 mi
03h 19m
Flight
132.35 mi
213 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Waterloo.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
132.35 mi
Kilometers
213 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
159.21 mi
Kilometers
256.23 km
Drive Time
03h 19m

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 19m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Carroll
Tue, May 12, 10:46 PM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Wed, May 13, 2:05 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-05-12T19:26
Arrive Carroll
Tue, May 12, 10:46 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 19m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:20 AM to 11:20 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
10:20 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waterloo
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
Webster City
IA

City in Iowa

From Waterloo
79.5 mi
01h 39m
To Carroll
79.8 mi
01h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 22 mph WSW
Destination
80°F
Today

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 9:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 23 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West 4th Street

    23 m · 6 sec · West 4th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Washington Street

    117 m · 10 sec · Washington Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West 5th Street

    1622 ft · 34 sec · West 5th Street

  4. 4

    Continue on West 4th Street

    2.4 mi · 4 min · West 4th Street

  5. 5

    Turn slight right onto West Ridgeway Avenue

    3073 ft · 1 min · West Ridgeway Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Sergeant Road

    1.3 km · 1 min · Sergeant Road

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left

    1428 ft · 36 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    115.8 mi · 2 hr 14 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Ogden Avenue

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Ogden Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on North 1st Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · North 1st Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto West High Street

    1 mi · 2 min · West High Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Norridge Avenue

    9.1 mi · 12 min · Norridge Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto 360th Street

    3 mi · 4 min · 360th Street

  14. 14

    Continue on East Main Street

    2.1 mi · 3 min · East Main Street

  15. 15

    Continue on State Highway 175

    3 mi · 4 min · State Highway 175

  16. 16

    Continue on 365th Street

    3.1 mi · 5 min · 365th Street

  17. 17

    Continue on 370th Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · 370th Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Pine Street

    1350 ft · 38 sec · Pine Street

  19. 19

    Continue on Yankee Avenue

    12.2 mi · 17 min · Yankee Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn slight left

    1.3 km · 2 min

  21. 21

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    41 m · 8 sec · North Main Street

  22. 22

    Turn right

    25 m · 8 sec

  23. 23

    Turn right

    17 m · 4 sec

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
24 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
116 mi · 73%
Yankee Avenue
12.2 mi · 8%
Norridge Avenue
9.07 mi · 6%
365th Street
3.05 mi · 2%
360th Street
3 mi · 2%
State Highway 175
2.98 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

116 mi · 02h 14m

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 19m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.8 mi
132.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Webster City
01h 39m from Waterloo
Leave By
10:20 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Waterloo and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Carroll.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 159.2 miles (256.2 km) and usually takes 03h 19m 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?

Webster City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.5 miles from Waterloo and 79.8 miles from Carroll.

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

The direct path is about 132.4 miles (213 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.8 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 10:20 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.19 one way or $42.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Waterloo and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Carroll.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Carroll. Straight-line distance: 132.35 mi (213 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Carroll

#2 Carroll

City in Carroll County, Iowa, United States

Population9,694
Coordinates42.0658200, -94.8669300
Altitude387
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Carroll (-94.86693, 42.06582)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 256 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.62 gal
21.27 L · about $21.19
Round trip
$42.39
11.24 gal · 42.54 L
Estimated CO2
49.9 kg one way
Round trip: 99.9 kg / 220 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.19 $42.39
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.90 $47.80
Premium $4.65 $26.16 $52.31
Diesel $5.30 $29.81 $59.62

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 · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Waterloo and Carroll. The current time is 19:26:23.

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.