How far is Waterloo, IA from Laurens, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Laurens, IA is about 157.7 miles (253.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 129.8 miles (208.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 30m 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
157.7 mi
03h 15m
Flight
129.78 mi
208.86 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
129.78 mi
Kilometers
208.86 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
157.7 mi
Kilometers
253.8 km
Drive Time
03h 15m

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 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Laurens
Sun, May 31, 9:06 AM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Sun, May 31, 12:21 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-05-31T05:50
Arrive Laurens
Sun, May 31, 9:06 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:15 AM to 11:15 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
10:30 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
Webster City
IA

City in Iowa

From Waterloo
78.7 mi
01h 37m
To Laurens
79 mi
01h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 mph SE
Destination
80°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 17 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    117.4 mi · 2 hr 16 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 4: Rockwell City, Pocahontas

    2133 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Marshall Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Marshall Avenue

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Marshall Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Marshall Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on Marengo Avenue

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Marengo Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on South East Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South East Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Marengo Avenue

    2317 ft · 39 sec · Marengo Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on 220th Avenue

    11.5 mi · 16 min · 220th Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on Southwest 7th Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Southwest 7th Street

  17. 17

    Continue on 220th Avenue

    5.5 mi · 8 min · 220th Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Cummins Road

    2 mi · 3 min · Cummins Road

  19. 19

    Continue on 450th Street

    6.1 mi · 8 min · 450th Street

  20. 20

    Turn straight onto State Highway 10

    1.4 km · 1 min · State Highway 10

  21. 21

    Turn right onto South 3rd Street

    1402 ft · 46 sec · South 3rd Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    38 m · 4 sec · West Main Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
23 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
117 mi · 74%
220th Avenue
16.9 mi · 11%
450th Street
6.07 mi · 4%
Marengo Avenue
4.78 mi · 3%
West 4th Street
2.37 mi · 2%
Marshall Avenue
2.15 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

117 mi · 02h 16m

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 15m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.9 mi
129.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Webster City
01h 37m from Waterloo
Leave By
10:30 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waterloo and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Laurens.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 157.7 miles (253.8 km) and usually takes 03h 15m 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?

Webster City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.7 miles from Waterloo and 79 miles from Laurens.

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

The direct path is about 129.8 miles (208.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.9 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 10:30 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.00 one way or $42.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Laurens. Straight-line distance: 129.78 mi (208.86 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 Laurens

City in Pocahontas County, Iowa, United States

Population1,126
Coordinates42.8466400, -94.8519300
Altitude399
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Laurens (-94.85193, 42.84664)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 254 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.57 gal
21.07 L · about $21.00
Round trip
$42.01
11.14 gal · 42.14 L
Estimated CO2
49.5 kg one way
Round trip: 99 kg / 218 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.00 $42.01
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.69 $47.38
Premium $4.65 $25.92 $51.85
Diesel $5.30 $29.54 $59.09

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 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Waterloo and Laurens. The current time is 05:50:46.

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.