How far is Waterloo, IA from Kalona, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Kalona, IA is about 95.9 miles (154.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 77.1 miles (124 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 47m 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
95.9 mi
01h 53m
Flight
77.05 mi
124 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
77.05 mi
Kilometers
124 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
95.9 mi
Kilometers
154.33 km
Drive Time
01h 53m

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 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kalona
Sat, Apr 18, 7:16 AM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Sat, Apr 18, 9:10 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-04-18T05:23
Arrive Kalona
Sat, Apr 18, 7:16 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:54 AM to 11:54 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:42 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
Robins
IA

City in Linn County, Iowa, United States

From Waterloo
47.9 mi
00h 56m
To Kalona
48 mi
00h 56m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
21 mph WNW
Destination
50°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    70.6 mi · 1 hr 18 min · Avenue of the Saints

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right

    1899 ft · 49 sec

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Highway 1 Southwest

    13.3 mi · 18 min · Highway 1 Southwest

  7. 7

    Continue on State Highway 1

    1.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 1

  8. 8

    Continue on 1st Street

    1 km · 58 sec · 1st Street

  9. 9

    Turn left onto East Avenue

    2300 ft · 41 sec · East Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn right onto 5th Street

    1014 ft · 50 sec · 5th Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto B Avenue

    11 m · 2 sec · B Avenue

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · B Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
70.9 mi · 74%
Highway 1 Southwest
13.3 mi · 14%
I-380 south
6.54 mi · 7%
Washington Street
2.72 mi · 3%
State Highway 1
1.13 mi · 1%
1st Street
0.63 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

70.6 mi · 01h 18m

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
01h 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.8 mi
77.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Robins
00h 56m from Waterloo
Leave By
2:42 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waterloo and Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Kalona.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 95.9 miles (154.3 km) and usually takes 01h 53m 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?

Robins is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.9 miles from Waterloo and 48 miles from Kalona.

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

The direct path is about 77.1 miles (124 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.8 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 2:42 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.75 one way or $25.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waterloo and Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Kalona.

Stop Ideas Near Robins

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Robins, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Robins.

BUS

Davenport, Iowa

109 mi away
304 West River Drive
BUS

Rock Island, IL

112 mi away
3500 5th Avenue
BUS

Moline, Illinois

118 mi away
1200 River Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Kalona. Straight-line distance: 77.05 mi (124 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Kalona

Town in the U.

Population2,560
Coordinates41.4830700, -91.7060000
Altitude201
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Kalona (-91.706, 41.48307)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 154 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.38 gal
12.81 L · about $12.75
Round trip
$25.49
6.76 gal · 25.62 L
Estimated CO2
30 kg one way
Round trip: 60.1 kg / 132 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.75 $25.49
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.38 $28.75
Premium $4.65 $15.73 $31.46
Diesel $5.30 $17.93 $35.86

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Waterloo and Kalona. The current time is 05:23:06.

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.