How far is Waterloo, IA from Guthrie Center, IA?
The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Guthrie Center, IA is about 156.5 miles (251.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 124.3 miles (200 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 59m 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 29m.
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 Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterloo and Guthrie Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo and Guthrie Center.
-
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
1.3 km · 1 min · Sergeant Road
-
7
Take the ramp left
1428 ft · 36 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
18.4 mi · 21 min · Avenue of the Saints
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
2083 ft · 59 sec
-
10
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.5 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
-
11
Turn right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
-
12
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
-
13
Continue on M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
-
14
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
-
15
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
-
16
Turn right onto 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on North Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
-
18
Continue on Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
-
19
Turn right
35.9 mi · 43 min
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
13 mi · 16 min
-
21
Continue straight
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward IA 141 West: Urbandale, Grimes
2133 ft · 54 sec
-
23
Turn right onto Northwest Urbandale Drive
60 m · 3 sec · Northwest Urbandale Drive
-
24
Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard
1.5 mi · 2 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
-
25
Turn left onto Southeast 19th Street
1 mi · 3 min · Southeast 19th Street
-
26
Turn right onto South James Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · South James Street
-
27
Turn left onto West 1st Street
2.7 mi · 4 min · West 1st Street
-
28
Continue on 240th Street
5.4 mi · 7 min · 240th Street
-
29
Continue on Sugar Grove Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Sugar Grove Avenue
-
30
Continue on 240th Street
16.1 mi · 22 min · 240th Street
-
31
Continue on State Highway 44
3.6 mi · 5 min · State Highway 44
-
32
Continue on East Main Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
-
33
Continue on State Street
7 mi · 10 min · State Street
-
34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterloo and Guthrie Center.
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 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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Waterloo and Partly Sunny near Guthrie Center.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waterloo to Guthrie Center?
The road trip is about 156.5 miles (251.8 km) and usually takes 03h 29m 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?
Rhodes is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.1 miles from Waterloo and 78.4 miles from Guthrie Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 124.3 miles (200 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.2 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 10:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.82 one way or $41.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Waterloo and Partly Sunny near Guthrie Center.
Stop Ideas Near Rhodes
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 Rhodes.
Osceola
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Guthrie Center. Straight-line distance: 124.28 mi (200.01 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 Guthrie Center
City in Iowa
| Population | 1,487 |
| Coordinates | 41.6772100, -94.5033000 |
| Altitude | 338 |
| Country | United States |
End: Guthrie Center (-94.5033, 41.67721)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 252 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.82 | $41.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.48 | $46.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.69 | $51.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.28 | $58.56 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.