How far is Waterloo, IA from Monroe, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Monroe, IA is about 101 miles (162.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 77.5 miles (124.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 49m 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
101.02 mi
02h 24m
Flight
77.55 mi
124.81 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
77.55 mi
Kilometers
124.81 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
101.02 mi
Kilometers
162.57 km
Drive Time
02h 24m

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 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Monroe
Sun, May 31, 6:59 AM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Sun, May 31, 9:23 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-05-31T04:34
Arrive Monroe
Sun, May 31, 6:59 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:25 AM to 12:25 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:40 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
Tama
IA

City in Tokyo, Japan

From Waterloo
50.5 mi
01h 12m
To Monroe
50.5 mi
01h 12m

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
81°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    6.5 mi · 9 min · Sergeant Road

  7. 7

    Continue on South Hudson Road

    6.4 mi · 9 min · South Hudson Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Q Avenue

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Q Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on County Road D65

    4.4 mi · 6 min · County Road D65

  10. 10

    Continue on North Main Street

    7.6 mi · 12 min · North Main Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto J Avenue

    11.8 mi · 17 min · J Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on North County Road

    1.8 mi · 3 min · North County Road

  13. 13

    Continue on Harding Street

    2225 ft · 43 sec · Harding Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto West 13th Street

    1334 ft · 25 sec · West 13th Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto State Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · State Street

  16. 16

    Continue on J Avenue

    6.3 mi · 9 min · J Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on 100th Street

    8 mi · 12 min · 100th Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto 380th Avenue

    5.5 mi · 7 min · 380th Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on 6th Avenue

    2927 ft · 58 sec · 6th Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Penrose Street

    1056 ft · 38 sec · Penrose Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto 4th Avenue

    1 mi · 2 min · 4th Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn left onto West Street

    3.2 mi · 5 min · West Street

  23. 23

    Take the ramp right

    1969 ft · 48 sec

  24. 24

    Merge slight left

    17.7 mi · 19 min

  25. 25

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6, IA 14: Newton, Monroe

    1632 ft · 44 sec

  26. 26

    Turn left onto State Highway 14

    11 mi · 16 min · State Highway 14

  27. 27

    Continue on Monroe Street

    2836 ft · 48 sec · Monroe Street

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Monroe Street

Car Route Details

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

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
28 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
27.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Street
21.2 mi · 21%
J Avenue
18 mi · 18%
State Highway 14
11 mi · 11%
100th Street
8.04 mi · 8%
North Main Street
7.55 mi · 7%
Sergeant Road
6.49 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

West Street

Merge slight left

17.7 mi · 00h 19m

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 24m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.5 mi
77.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tama
01h 12m from Waterloo
Leave By
1:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 101 miles (162.6 km) and usually takes 02h 24m 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?

Tama is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.5 miles from Waterloo and 50.5 miles from Monroe.

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

The direct path is about 77.5 miles (124.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.5 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 1:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.42 one way or $26.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.6 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 Monroe.

Stop Ideas Near Tama

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

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

RAIL

Ottumwa station

106 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Monroe. Straight-line distance: 77.55 mi (124.81 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Monroe

City in Jasper County, Iowa, United States

Population1,905
Coordinates41.5222100, -93.1018700
Altitude282
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Monroe (-93.10187, 41.52221)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 163 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.56 gal
13.49 L · about $13.42
Round trip
$26.85
7.12 gal · 26.98 L
Estimated CO2
31.6 kg one way
Round trip: 63.3 kg / 140 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.42 $26.85
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.14 $30.28
Premium $4.65 $16.57 $33.14
Diesel $5.30 $18.88 $37.76

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 Monroe. The current time is 04:34:24.

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.