How far is Waterloo, IA from Clinton, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Clinton, IA is about 139.1 miles (223.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 22m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 119.1 miles (191.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 45m 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
139.14 mi
02h 22m
Flight
119.06 mi
191.61 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
119.06 mi
Kilometers
191.61 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
139.14 mi
Kilometers
223.93 km
Drive Time
02h 22m

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 02h 22m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clinton
Tue, May 12, 7:01 PM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Tue, May 12, 9:24 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-05-12T16:38
Arrive Clinton
Tue, May 12, 7:01 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 22m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:23 AM to 12:23 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:44 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
Mount Vernon
IA

City in Linn County, Iowa

From Waterloo
69.3 mi
01h 11m
To Clinton
69.8 mi
01h 11m

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
79°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West 4th Street

    23 m · 6 sec · West 4th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Washington Street

    2.7 mi · 4 min · Washington Street

  3. 3

    Keep slight right to continue on I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls

    6.5 mi · 8 min

  4. 4

    Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    48.5 mi · 54 min · Avenue of the Saints

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right

    722 ft · 18 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on US 30 East, US 151 North: Mount Vernon

    1 km · 1 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on US 30 East, US 151 North: Mount Vernon

    1306 ft · 32 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    57.8 mi · 1 hr 15 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right

    17.1 mi · 21 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Manufacturing Drive

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Manufacturing Drive

  12. 12

    Continue on South Bluff Boulevard

    1.4 mi · 2 min · South Bluff Boulevard

  13. 13

    Turn right onto 2nd Avenue South

    1.4 km · 2 min · 2nd Avenue South

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue South

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 30 East
77.2 mi · 55%
Avenue of the Saints
48.6 mi · 35%
I-380 south
6.54 mi · 5%
Washington Street
2.72 mi · 2%
Manufacturing Drive
1.58 mi · 1%
South Bluff Boulevard
1.41 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 30 East

Merge slight left

57.8 mi · 01h 15m

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
02h 22m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20 mi
119.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mount Vernon
01h 11m from Waterloo
Leave By
1:44 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Waterloo and Chance Rain Showers near Clinton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 139.1 miles (223.9 km) and usually takes 02h 22m 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?

Mount Vernon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.3 miles from Waterloo and 69.8 miles from Clinton.

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

The direct path is about 119.1 miles (191.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 20 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 1:44 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.52 one way or $37.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Waterloo and Chance Rain Showers near Clinton.

Stop Ideas Near Mount Vernon

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

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

BUS

Davenport, Iowa

83 mi away
304 West River Drive
BUS

Rock Island, IL

85 mi away
3500 5th Avenue
BUS

Moline, Illinois

92 mi away
1200 River Drive
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

106 mi away
418 North Adams Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Clinton. Straight-line distance: 119.06 mi (191.61 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Clinton

Clinton is a city in Clinton County, Iowa, United States, and the county seat.

Population25,039
Coordinates41.8444700, -90.1887400
Altitude179
CountryUnited States
Start: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)
End: 2nd Avenue South (-90.18874, 41.844512)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 224 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.91 gal
18.59 L · about $18.52
Round trip
$37.03
9.82 gal · 37.18 L
Estimated CO2
43.6 kg one way
Round trip: 87.3 kg / 192 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.52 $37.03
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.88 $41.76
Premium $4.65 $22.85 $45.70
Diesel $5.30 $26.04 $52.09

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Waterloo and Clinton. The current time is 16:38:51.

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.