How far is Waterloo, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 130.4 miles (209.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 89.5 miles (144.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 59m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Marshall County, Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterloo and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo and Des Moines.
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1
Start on West 4th Street
23 m · 6 sec · West 4th Street
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2
Turn right onto Washington Street
117 m · 10 sec · Washington Street
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3
Turn right onto West 5th Street
1622 ft · 34 sec · West 5th Street
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4
Continue on West 4th Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · West 4th Street
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5
Turn slight right onto West Ridgeway Avenue
3073 ft · 1 min · West Ridgeway Avenue
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6
Turn left onto Sergeant Road
1.3 km · 1 min · Sergeant Road
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7
Take the ramp left
1428 ft · 36 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
18.4 mi · 21 min · Avenue of the Saints
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
2083 ft · 59 sec
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10
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.5 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
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11
Turn right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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12
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
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13
Continue on M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
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14
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
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15
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
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16
Turn right onto 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
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17
Keep slight left to continue on North Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
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18
Continue on Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
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19
Turn right
35.9 mi · 43 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
4.5 mi · 6 min
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21
Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines
1 km · 1 min
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22
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
1580 ft · 39 sec
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24
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
1740 ft · 45 sec
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25
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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26
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterloo and Des Moines.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Waterloo and Partly Sunny near Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waterloo to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 130.4 miles (209.8 km) and usually takes 01h 59m 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 55.4 miles from Waterloo and 75 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 89.5 miles (144.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.9 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 2:30 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.35 one way or $34.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waterloo and Partly Sunny near Des Moines.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 89.56 mi (144.13 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 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
End: East University Avenue (-93.609114, 41.600425)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 210 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.35 | $34.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.56 | $39.13 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.41 | $42.82 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $24.40 | $48.80 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.