How far is Waterloo, IA from Clive, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Clive, IA is about 117.3 miles (188.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 93.8 miles (151 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 08m 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
117.26 mi
02h 34m
Flight
93.81 mi
150.97 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
93.81 mi
Kilometers
150.97 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
117.26 mi
Kilometers
188.71 km
Drive Time
02h 34m

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 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clive
Thu, May 7, 2:19 PM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Thu, May 7, 4:53 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-05-07T11:44
Arrive Clive
Thu, May 7, 2:19 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:34 AM to 12:34 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:22 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
Albion
IA

City in Marshall County, Iowa

From Waterloo
58.6 mi
01h 17m
To Clive
58.7 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 7 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph WSW
Destination
66°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 7 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    18.4 mi · 21 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center

    2083 ft · 59 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto N Avenue

    4.5 mi · 6 min · N Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn right onto 210th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street

  12. 12

    Turn sharp left onto County Road T37

    1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37

  13. 13

    Continue on M Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto 240th Street

    6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Sanford Avenue

    15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 160th Street

    4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on North Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Marsh Avenue

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right

    35.9 mi · 43 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines

    4.5 mi · 6 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines

    1 km · 1 min

  22. 22

    Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    10.2 mi · 13 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward 73rd Street, 8th Street, Windsor Heights, West Des Moines

    1301 ft · 39 sec

  24. 24

    Turn left onto 73rd Street

    2230 ft · 54 sec · 73rd Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto University Avenue

    1767 ft · 38 sec · University Avenue

  26. 26

    Turn right onto Northwest 78th Street

    860 ft · 38 sec · Northwest 78th Street

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Northwest 78th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
27 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
1 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
18.4 mi · 16%
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 14%
John MacVicar Freeway
10.2 mi · 9%
240th Street
6.28 mi · 5%
Marsh Avenue
5.95 mi · 5%
N Avenue
4.52 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

35.9 mi · 00h 43m

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 34m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.5 mi
93.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Albion
01h 17m from Waterloo
Leave By
1:22 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Waterloo and Partly Sunny near Clive.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 117.3 miles (188.7 km) and usually takes 02h 34m 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?

Albion is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.6 miles from Waterloo and 58.7 miles from Clive.

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

The direct path is about 93.8 miles (151 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.5 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 1:22 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.61 one way or $31.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waterloo and Partly Sunny near Clive.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Clive. Straight-line distance: 93.81 mi (150.97 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Clive

Human settlement in Iowa, United States of America

Population17,444
Coordinates41.6030400, -93.7241100
Altitude254
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Clive (-93.72411, 41.60304)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 189 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.14 gal
15.66 L · about $15.61
Round trip
$31.22
8.28 gal · 31.32 L
Estimated CO2
36.8 kg one way
Round trip: 73.6 kg / 162 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $15.61 $31.22
Mid-grade $4.25 $17.61 $35.21
Premium $4.65 $19.27 $38.54
Diesel $5.30 $21.96 $43.92

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 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Waterloo and Clive. The current time is 11:44:52.

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.