How far is Waterloo, IA from Marcus, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Marcus, IA is about 201.4 miles (324.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 177.5 miles (285.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 14m 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
201.36 mi
04h 07m
Flight
177.52 mi
285.69 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
177.52 mi
Kilometers
285.69 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
201.36 mi
Kilometers
324.06 km
Drive Time
04h 07m

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 04h 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Marcus
Thu, Apr 23, 4:17 AM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Thu, Apr 23, 8:24 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-04-23T00:10
Arrive Marcus
Thu, Apr 23, 4:17 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:07 AM to 12:07 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:46 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
Moorland
IA

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

From Waterloo
100.5 mi
02h 03m
To Marcus
100.9 mi
02h 03m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 25 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
25 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    154.1 mi · 2 hr 58 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Armstrong Avenue

    6 mi · 8 min · Armstrong Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on 20th Avenue

    9.2 mi · 13 min · 20th Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Highway 7

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 7

  12. 12

    Continue on State Highway 7

    2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 7

  13. 13

    Continue on 1st Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 1st Street

  14. 14

    Continue on V Avenue

    1.9 mi · 3 min · V Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto State Highway 3

    1153 ft · 23 sec · State Highway 3

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto 530th Street

    3.1 mi · 4 min · 530th Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto State Highway 3

    4.5 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3

  18. 18

    Continue on 500th Street

    2.5 mi · 3 min · 500th Street

  19. 19

    Continue on State Highway 3

    4.2 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3

  20. 20

    Continue on 490th Street

    5 mi · 7 min · 490th Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Ames Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Ames Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn left onto East Cedar Street

    2229 ft · 2 min · East Cedar Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    21 m · 3 sec · North Main Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
24 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
154 mi · 77%
20th Avenue
9.23 mi · 5%
State Highway 3
8.82 mi · 4%
Armstrong Avenue
5.95 mi · 3%
490th Street
5.04 mi · 3%
530th Street
3.12 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

154 mi · 02h 58m

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
04h 07m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.9 mi
177.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Moorland
02h 03m from Waterloo
Leave By
8:46 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waterloo and Chance Rain Showers near Marcus.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 201.4 miles (324.1 km) and usually takes 04h 07m 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?

Moorland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.5 miles from Waterloo and 100.9 miles from Marcus.

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

The direct path is about 177.5 miles (285.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.9 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 8:46 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.81 one way or $53.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Marcus. Straight-line distance: 177.52 mi (285.69 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 Marcus

City in Iowa, United States

Population1,055
Coordinates42.8258200, -95.8075100
Altitude445
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Marcus (-95.80751, 42.82582)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 324 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.11 gal
26.9 L · about $26.81
Round trip
$53.62
14.22 gal · 53.8 L
Estimated CO2
63.2 kg one way
Round trip: 126.4 kg / 279 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $26.81 $53.62
Mid-grade $4.25 $30.24 $60.48
Premium $4.65 $33.09 $66.18
Diesel $5.30 $37.71 $75.42

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Waterloo and Marcus. The current time is 00:10:29.

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.