How far is Waterloo, IA from Humboldt, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Humboldt, IA is about 117.5 miles (189.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 96.5 miles (155.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 50m 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
117.47 mi
02h 25m
Flight
96.51 mi
155.31 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
96.51 mi
Kilometers
155.31 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
117.47 mi
Kilometers
189.05 km
Drive Time
02h 25m

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 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Humboldt
Thu, Apr 16, 1:09 PM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Thu, Apr 16, 3:34 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-04-16T10:44
Arrive Humboldt
Thu, Apr 16, 1:09 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:25 AM to 12:25 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:40 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
Buckeye
IA

Township in Hardin County, Iowa

From Waterloo
58.6 mi
01h 12m
To Humboldt
58.8 mi
01h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph W
Destination
79°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 7:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    92.5 mi · 1 hr 47 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 169

    2133 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Turn right

    19.2 mi · 27 min

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Sumner Avenue Southwest

    51 m · 7 sec · Sumner Avenue Southwest

  12. 12

    Continue on Sumner Avenue Southwest

    1.3 km · 2 min · Sumner Avenue Southwest

  13. 13

    Turn right onto South 6th Street

    64 m · 15 sec · South 6th Street

  14. 14

    Turn left

    65 m · 16 sec

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
15 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
92.5 mi · 79%
West 4th Street
2.37 mi · 2%
Sergeant Road
1.07 mi · 1%
Sumner Avenue Southwest
0.83 mi · 1%
West Ridgeway Avenue
0.58 mi
US 169
0.4 mi
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

92.5 mi · 01h 47m

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 25m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21 mi
96.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Buckeye
01h 12m from Waterloo
Leave By
1:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Waterloo and Sunny near Humboldt.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 117.5 miles (189.1 km) and usually takes 02h 25m 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?

Buckeye is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.6 miles from Waterloo and 58.8 miles from Humboldt.

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

The direct path is about 96.5 miles (155.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 21 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 1:40 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 Slight Chance Rain Showers around Waterloo and Sunny near Humboldt.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Humboldt. Straight-line distance: 96.51 mi (155.31 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Humboldt

City in Iowa

Population4,544
Coordinates42.7208000, -94.2152400
Altitude330
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Humboldt (-94.21524, 42.7208)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 189 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 56m
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
15.69 L · about $15.61
Round trip
$31.22
8.28 gal · 31.38 L
Estimated CO2
36.8 kg one way
Round trip: 73.6 kg / 162 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/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 · Apr 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Waterloo and Humboldt. The current time is 10:44:23.

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.