How far is Waterloo, IA from Le Claire, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Le Claire, IA is about 144 miles (231.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 119.7 miles (192.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 30m 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
144 mi
02h 45m
Flight
119.75 mi
192.72 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
119.75 mi
Kilometers
192.72 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
144 mi
Kilometers
231.75 km
Drive Time
02h 45m

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 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Le Claire
Wed, Apr 15, 12:04 AM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Wed, Apr 15, 2:49 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-04-14T21:19
Arrive Le Claire
Wed, Apr 15, 12:04 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:45 AM to 12:45 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:00 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
Tiffin
IA

Human settlement in Johnson County, Iowa, United States of America

From Waterloo
71.9 mi
01h 22m
To Le Claire
72.1 mi
01h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 15 mph SW
Destination
77°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo and Le Claire.

  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

    64.7 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Avenue of the Saints

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80

    1362 ft · 33 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    66.2 mi · 1 hr 13 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 67: LeClaire, Bettendorf

    2799 ft · 55 sec

  9. 9

    Turn left onto South Cody Road

    1.8 mi · 4 min · South Cody Road

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Jones Street

    14 m · 2 sec · Jones Street

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Jones Street

Car Route Details

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

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
11 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
67.4 mi · 47%
Avenue of the Saints
64.7 mi · 45%
I-380 south
6.54 mi · 5%
Washington Street
2.72 mi · 2%
South Cody Road
1.83 mi · 1%
US 67
0.53 mi
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight left

66.2 mi · 01h 13m

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 45m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.3 mi
119.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tiffin
01h 22m from Waterloo
Leave By
1:00 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Waterloo and Showers And Thunderstorms near Le Claire.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Waterloo to Le Claire?

The road trip is about 144 miles (231.8 km) and usually takes 02h 45m 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?

Tiffin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.9 miles from Waterloo and 72.1 miles from Le Claire.

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

The direct path is about 119.7 miles (192.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.3 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 1:00 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.16 one way or $38.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Waterloo and Showers And Thunderstorms near Le Claire.

Stop Ideas Near Tiffin

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Tiffin, 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 Tiffin.

RAIL

Mount Pleasant

82 mi away
418 North Adams Street
BUS

Davenport, Iowa

93 mi away
304 West River Drive
BUS

Rock Island, IL

95 mi away
3500 5th Avenue
RAIL

Ottumwa station

99 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Le Claire. Straight-line distance: 119.75 mi (192.72 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Le Claire

#2 Le Claire

City in Scott County, Iowa, United States of America

Population3,955
Coordinates41.5986400, -90.3434600
Altitude180
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Le Claire (-90.34346, 41.59864)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 232 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 24m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.08 gal
19.24 L · about $19.16
Round trip
$38.31
10.16 gal · 38.48 L
Estimated CO2
45.1 kg one way
Round trip: 90.3 kg / 199 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.16 $38.31
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.61 $43.21
Premium $4.65 $23.64 $47.28
Diesel $5.30 $26.94 $53.89

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Waterloo and Le Claire. The current time is 21:19:15.

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.