How far is Waterloo, IA from Manson, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Manson, IA is about 122.8 miles (197.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 111.6 miles (179.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 57m 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
122.77 mi
02h 28m
Flight
111.63 mi
179.65 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
111.63 mi
Kilometers
179.65 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
122.77 mi
Kilometers
197.58 km
Drive Time
02h 28m

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 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Manson
Thu, Apr 16, 11:00 AM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Thu, Apr 16, 1:29 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-04-16T08:31
Arrive Manson
Thu, Apr 16, 11:00 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:29 AM to 12:29 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:32 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Williams
IA

City in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States

From Waterloo
61.2 mi
01h 14m
To Manson
61.5 mi
01h 14m

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
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 14 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    111.9 mi · 2 hr 9 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Sigourney Avenue

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Sigourney Avenue

  10. 10

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 220th Street

    1.1 km · 59 sec · 220th Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Tabor Avenue

    3 mi · 5 min · Tabor Avenue

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 190th Street

    8 m · 6 sec · 190th Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Tabor Avenue

    2635 ft · 53 sec · Tabor Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on 8th Street

    1908 ft · 40 sec · 8th Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 10th Avenue

    1599 ft · 1 min · 10th Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Main Street

    11 m · 2 sec · Main Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
112 mi · 91%
Tabor Avenue
3.49 mi · 3%
West 4th Street
2.37 mi · 2%
Sigourney Avenue
1.65 mi · 1%
Sergeant Road
1.07 mi · 1%
220th Street
0.66 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

112 mi · 02h 09m

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 28m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.2 mi
111.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Williams
01h 14m from Waterloo
Leave By
1:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Waterloo and Sunny near Manson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 122.8 miles (197.6 km) and usually takes 02h 28m 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?

Williams is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.2 miles from Waterloo and 61.5 miles from Manson.

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

The direct path is about 111.6 miles (179.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.2 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 1:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.33 one way or $32.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Waterloo and Sunny near Manson.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Manson. Straight-line distance: 111.63 mi (179.65 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Manson

City in Calhoun County, Iowa, United States

Population1,529
Coordinates42.5291400, -94.5341400
Altitude378
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Manson (-94.53414, 42.52914)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 198 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.33 gal
16.4 L · about $16.33
Round trip
$32.66
8.66 gal · 32.8 L
Estimated CO2
38.5 kg one way
Round trip: 77 kg / 170 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.33 $32.66
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.42 $36.83
Premium $4.65 $20.15 $40.30
Diesel $5.30 $22.97 $45.93

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 Manson. The current time is 08:31:56.

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.