How far is Waterloo, IA from Monticello, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Monticello, IA is about 74.5 miles (119.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 61.6 miles (99.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 10m 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
74.51 mi
01h 35m
Flight
61.57 mi
99.09 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
61.57 mi
Kilometers
99.09 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
74.51 mi
Kilometers
119.92 km
Drive Time
01h 35m

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 01h 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Monticello
Sat, Apr 18, 4:42 AM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Sat, Apr 18, 6:17 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-04-18T03:06
Arrive Monticello
Sat, Apr 18, 4:42 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:35 AM to 11:35 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:20 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
Masonville
IA

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

From Waterloo
37.2 mi
00h 47m
To Monticello
37.3 mi
00h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
21 mph WNW
Destination
48°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 left

    43.9 mi · 51 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right

    1678 ft · 46 sec

  6. 6

    At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 38

    2.3 mi · 3 min · State Highway 38

  7. 7

    Continue on 3rd Street

    3080 ft · 52 sec · 3rd Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Market Street

    2885 ft · 49 sec · Market Street

  9. 9

    Continue on State Highway 38

    7.2 mi · 11 min · State Highway 38

  10. 10

    Continue on 3rd Street

    1 km · 57 sec · 3rd Street

  11. 11

    Continue on State Highway 38

    8.6 mi · 13 min · State Highway 38

  12. 12

    Continue on North Cedar Street

    1 mi · 2 min · North Cedar Street

  13. 13

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East 1st Street

    622 ft · 16 sec · East 1st Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto North Maple Street

    22 m · 3 sec · North Maple Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Maple Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-380 south
50.8 mi · 68%
State Highway 38
18.1 mi · 24%
Washington Street
2.72 mi · 4%
3rd Street
1.22 mi · 2%
North Cedar Street
1.01 mi · 1%
Market Street
0.55 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I-380 south

Keep slight left

43.9 mi · 00h 51m

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
01h 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.9 mi
61.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Masonville
00h 47m from Waterloo
Leave By
3:20 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waterloo and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Monticello.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 74.5 miles (119.9 km) and usually takes 01h 35m 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?

Masonville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.2 miles from Waterloo and 37.3 miles from Monticello.

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

The direct path is about 61.6 miles (99.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:20 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.92 one way or $19.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Monticello. Straight-line distance: 61.57 mi (99.09 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Monticello

City in Jones County, Iowa, United States

Population3,873
Coordinates42.2383400, -91.1870900
Altitude251
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Monticello (-91.18709, 42.23834)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 120 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.63 gal
9.95 L · about $9.92
Round trip
$19.84
5.26 gal · 19.9 L
Estimated CO2
23.4 kg one way
Round trip: 46.7 kg / 103 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.92 $19.84
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.19 $22.37
Premium $4.65 $12.24 $24.48
Diesel $5.30 $13.95 $27.90

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Waterloo and Monticello. The current time is 03:06:59.

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.