How far is Waterloo, IA from Mount Vernon, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Mount Vernon, IA is about 71.8 miles (115.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 61.6 miles (99.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 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
71.86 mi
01h 24m
Flight
61.66 mi
99.23 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
61.66 mi
Kilometers
99.23 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
71.86 mi
Kilometers
115.64 km
Drive Time
01h 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 01h 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Mount Vernon
Sun, Apr 19, 7:52 AM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Sun, Apr 19, 9:17 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-04-19T06:27
Arrive Mount Vernon
Sun, Apr 19, 7:52 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:25 AM to 11:25 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:40 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
Center Point
IA

City in Iowa

From Waterloo
35.9 mi
00h 42m
To Mount Vernon
36 mi
00h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 15 mph NW
Destination
54°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo and Mount Vernon.

  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

    48.5 mi · 54 min · Avenue of the Saints

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right

    722 ft · 18 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on US 30 East, US 151 North: Mount Vernon

    1 km · 1 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on US 30 East, US 151 North: Mount Vernon

    1306 ft · 32 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    11.8 mi · 14 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 1: Mount Vernon, Iowa City

    1559 ft · 46 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto State Highway 1

    2479 ft · 41 sec · State Highway 1

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 1

    40 m · 6 sec · State Highway 1

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 1

    666 ft · 19 sec · State Highway 1

  13. 13

    Continue on 1st Avenue South

    2046 ft · 39 sec · 1st Avenue South

  14. 14

    Turn right onto 1st Street East

    70 m · 9 sec · 1st Street East

  15. 15

    Turn right

    20 m · 6 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right

    23 m · 6 sec

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
17 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
48.6 mi · 68%
US 30 East
12.6 mi · 18%
I-380 south
6.54 mi · 9%
Washington Street
2.72 mi · 4%
State Highway 1
0.62 mi · 1%
1st Avenue South
0.39 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

48.5 mi · 00h 54m

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 24m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.2 mi
61.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Center Point
00h 42m from Waterloo
Leave By
3:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Waterloo and Sunny near Mount Vernon.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Waterloo to Mount Vernon?

The road trip is about 71.8 miles (115.6 km) and usually takes 01h 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?

Center Point is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.9 miles from Waterloo and 36 miles from Mount Vernon.

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

The direct path is about 61.6 miles (99.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.2 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 3:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.58 one way or $19.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Waterloo and Sunny near Mount Vernon.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Mount Vernon. Straight-line distance: 61.66 mi (99.23 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Mount Vernon

#2 Mount Vernon

City in Linn County, Iowa

Population4,528
Coordinates41.9219500, -91.4168400
Altitude268
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Mount Vernon (-91.41684, 41.92195)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 116 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 01m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.54 gal
9.6 L · about $9.58
Round trip
$19.16
5.08 gal · 19.2 L
Estimated CO2
22.6 kg one way
Round trip: 45.1 kg / 99 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.58 $19.16
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.80 $21.61
Premium $4.65 $11.82 $23.64
Diesel $5.30 $13.47 $26.94

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Waterloo and Mount Vernon. The current time is 06:27:42.

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.