How far is Waterloo, IA from Holstein, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Holstein, IA is about 168.6 miles (271.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 19m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 163.1 miles (262.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
168.59 mi
03h 19m
Flight
163.13 mi
262.53 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Waterloo.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
163.13 mi
Kilometers
262.53 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
168.59 mi
Kilometers
271.32 km
Drive Time
03h 19m

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 19m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Holstein
Thu, Apr 23, 7:26 AM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Thu, Apr 23, 10:46 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-04-23T04:07
Arrive Holstein
Thu, Apr 23, 7:26 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 19m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:20 AM to 11:20 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:20 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waterloo
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Duncombe
IA

City in Webster County, Iowa, in the United States

From Waterloo
84.1 mi
01h 39m
To Holstein
84.5 mi
01h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 25 mph S
Destination
79°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 25 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    155.2 mi · 2 hr 59 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Continue on 160th Street

    6.4 mi · 7 min · 160th Street

  10. 10

    Continue on United States Highway 20

    1.6 mi · 2 min · United States Highway 20

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right

    1 mi · 2 min

  12. 12

    Turn left onto West 2nd Street

    19 m · 3 sec · West 2nd Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 2nd Street

Car Route Details

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

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
13 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
155 mi · 92%
160th Street
6.44 mi · 4%
United States Highway 20
2.56 mi · 2%
West 4th Street
2.37 mi · 1%
Sergeant Road
1.07 mi · 1%
West Ridgeway Avenue
0.58 mi
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

155 mi · 02h 59m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 19m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.5 mi
163.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Duncombe
01h 39m from Waterloo
Leave By
10:20 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waterloo and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Holstein.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 168.6 miles (271.3 km) and usually takes 03h 19m 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?

Duncombe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.1 miles from Waterloo and 84.5 miles from Holstein.

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

The direct path is about 163.1 miles (262.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:20 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.44 one way or $44.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waterloo and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Holstein.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Holstein. Straight-line distance: 163.13 mi (262.53 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Holstein

City in Iowa, USA

Population1,367
Coordinates42.4891500, -95.5450000
Altitude442
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Holstein (-95.545, 42.48915)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 271 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 22m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.95 gal
22.52 L · about $22.44
Round trip
$44.87
11.9 gal · 45.04 L
Estimated CO2
52.9 kg one way
Round trip: 105.8 kg / 233 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.44 $44.87
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.31 $50.61
Premium $4.65 $27.69 $55.38
Diesel $5.30 $31.56 $63.12

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Waterloo and Holstein. The current time is 04:07:19.

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.