How far is Waterloo, IA from Chariton, IA?
The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Chariton, IA is about 140.9 miles (226.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 113.6 miles (182.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 48m 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 24m.
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.
City in Poweshiek County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterloo and Chariton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo and Chariton.
-
1
Start on West 4th Street
23 m · 6 sec · West 4th Street
-
2
Turn right onto Washington Street
117 m · 10 sec · Washington Street
-
3
Turn right onto West 5th Street
1622 ft · 34 sec · West 5th Street
-
4
Continue on West 4th Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · West 4th Street
-
5
Turn slight right onto West Ridgeway Avenue
3073 ft · 1 min · West Ridgeway Avenue
-
6
Turn left onto Sergeant Road
6.5 mi · 9 min · Sergeant Road
-
7
Continue on South Hudson Road
6.4 mi · 9 min · South Hudson Road
-
8
Continue on Q Avenue
2.5 mi · 3 min · Q Avenue
-
9
Continue on County Road D65
4.4 mi · 6 min · County Road D65
-
10
Continue on North Main Street
7.6 mi · 12 min · North Main Street
-
11
Turn left onto J Avenue
11.8 mi · 17 min · J Avenue
-
12
Continue on North County Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · North County Road
-
13
Continue on Harding Street
2225 ft · 43 sec · Harding Street
-
14
Turn left onto West 13th Street
1334 ft · 25 sec · West 13th Street
-
15
Turn right onto State Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · State Street
-
16
Continue on J Avenue
6.3 mi · 9 min · J Avenue
-
17
Continue on 100th Street
8 mi · 12 min · 100th Street
-
18
Turn right onto 380th Avenue
5.5 mi · 7 min · 380th Avenue
-
19
Continue on 6th Avenue
2927 ft · 58 sec · 6th Avenue
-
20
Turn left onto Penrose Street
1056 ft · 38 sec · Penrose Street
-
21
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · 4th Avenue
-
22
Turn left onto West Street
3.2 mi · 5 min · West Street
-
23
Take the ramp right
1969 ft · 48 sec
-
24
Merge slight left
17.7 mi · 19 min
-
25
Take the exit slight right toward US 6, IA 14: Newton, Monroe
1632 ft · 44 sec
-
26
Turn left onto State Highway 14
11 mi · 16 min · State Highway 14
-
27
Continue on Monroe Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Monroe Street
-
28
Continue on State Highway 14
12.5 mi · 19 min · State Highway 14
-
29
Continue on North Lincoln Street
2.3 mi · 3 min · North Lincoln Street
-
30
Continue on State Highway 14
23.2 mi · 34 min · State Highway 14
-
31
Continue on North 7th Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · North 7th Street
-
32
Turn right onto Court Avenue
935 ft · 24 sec · Court Avenue
-
33
Turn left onto South Grand Street
63 m · 14 sec · South Grand Street
-
34
Turn left
22 m · 5 sec
-
35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterloo and Chariton.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
State Highway 14
Continue on State Highway 14
23.2 mi · 00h 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Waterloo and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Chariton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waterloo to Chariton?
The road trip is about 140.9 miles (226.8 km) and usually takes 03h 24m 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?
Grinnell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.5 miles from Waterloo and 70.5 miles from Chariton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 113.6 miles (182.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.3 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 10:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.74 one way or $37.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waterloo and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Chariton.
Stop Ideas Near Grinnell
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 Grinnell.
Ottumwa station
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Chariton. Straight-line distance: 113.61 mi (182.84 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 Chariton
City in Lucas County, Iowa
| Population | 4,103 |
| Coordinates | 41.0138900, -93.3066000 |
| Altitude | 313 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chariton (-93.3066, 41.01389)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 227 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.74 | $37.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.14 | $42.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.13 | $46.26 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $26.36 | $52.72 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.