How far is Waterloo, IA from Hiawatha, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Hiawatha, IA is about 50.5 miles (81.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 46.2 miles (74.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 55m 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
50.53 mi
00h 57m
Flight
46.24 mi
74.42 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
46.24 mi
Kilometers
74.42 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
50.53 mi
Kilometers
81.32 km
Drive Time
00h 57m

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 00h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Hiawatha
Tue, May 12, 7:52 PM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Tue, May 12, 8:49 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-05-12T18:54
Arrive Hiawatha
Tue, May 12, 7:52 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:58 AM to 10:58 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:34 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
Brandon
IA

City in Iowa

From Waterloo
25.2 mi
00h 28m
To Hiawatha
25.3 mi
00h 28m

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
81°F
Today

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 8:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    40.7 mi · 44 min · Avenue of the Saints

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 100

    1286 ft · 31 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    41 m · 5 sec

  7. 7

    Turn straight onto Blairs Ferry Road Northeast

    1158 ft · 30 sec · Blairs Ferry Road Northeast

  8. 8

    Turn right onto 9th Avenue

    120 m · 23 sec · 9th Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Heefner Street

    53 m · 8 sec · Heefner Street

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Heefner Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
10 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
40.7 mi · 80%
I-380 south
6.54 mi · 13%
Washington Street
2.72 mi · 5%
IA 100
0.27 mi · 1%
Blairs Ferry Road Northeast
0.22 mi
9th Avenue
0.07 mi
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

40.7 mi · 00h 44m

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
00h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.3 mi
46.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brandon
00h 28m from Waterloo
Leave By
4:34 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 50.5 miles (81.3 km) and usually takes 00h 57m 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?

Brandon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.2 miles from Waterloo and 25.3 miles from Hiawatha.

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

The direct path is about 46.2 miles (74.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:34 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.71 one way or $13.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Hiawatha. Straight-line distance: 46.24 mi (74.42 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Hiawatha

City in Iowa

Population7,466
Coordinates42.0358300, -91.6821200
Altitude258
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Hiawatha (-91.68212, 42.03583)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 81 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 41m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 50m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 43m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.78 gal
6.75 L · about $6.71
Round trip
$13.42
3.56 gal · 13.5 L
Estimated CO2
15.8 kg one way
Round trip: 31.6 kg / 70 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.71 $13.42
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.57 $15.14
Premium $4.65 $8.28 $16.57
Diesel $5.30 $9.44 $18.88

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 Hiawatha. The current time is 18:54:27.

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.