How far is Waterloo, IA from Muscatine, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Muscatine, IA is about 121.8 miles (196 km), with a travel time of about 02h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 99.5 miles (160.2 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
121.8 mi
02h 24m
Flight
99.54 mi
160.19 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
99.54 mi
Kilometers
160.19 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
121.8 mi
Kilometers
196.02 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 Muscatine
Tue, May 12, 9:51 PM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Wed, May 13, 12:16 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-05-12T19:26
Arrive Muscatine
Tue, May 12, 9:51 PM 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
Shueyville
IA

City in Johnson County, Iowa, United States

From Waterloo
60.8 mi
01h 12m
To Muscatine
61 mi
01h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 22 mph WSW
Destination
76°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    64.7 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Avenue of the Saints

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80

    1362 ft · 33 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    31 mi · 34 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, IA 38 South: Wilton, Muscatine

    1254 ft · 31 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Rose Avenue

    2.6 mi · 4 min · Rose Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on United States Highway 6

    2583 ft · 44 sec · United States Highway 6

  11. 11

    Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on State Highway 38

    9.5 mi · 15 min · State Highway 38

  13. 13

    Continue on East 2nd Street

    1 km · 1 min · East 2nd Street

  14. 14

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Mulberry Avenue

    4 m · 1 sec · Mulberry Avenue

  15. 15

    Exit the roundabout onto Mulberry Avenue

    108 m · 16 sec · Mulberry Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto East 3rd Street

    110 m · 18 sec · East 3rd Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Walnut Street

    48 m · 5 sec · Walnut Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Walnut Street

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
64.7 mi · 53%
I 80 East
32.3 mi · 26%
State Highway 38
9.55 mi · 8%
I-380 south
6.54 mi · 5%
Washington Street
2.72 mi · 2%
Rose Avenue
2.61 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

64.7 mi · 01h 12m

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
+22.3 mi
99.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Shueyville
01h 12m from Waterloo
Leave By
1:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 121.8 miles (196 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?

Shueyville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.8 miles from Waterloo and 61 miles from Muscatine.

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

The direct path is about 99.5 miles (160.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.3 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 $16.22 one way or $32.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Shueyville

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

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

BUS

Davenport, Iowa

96 mi away
304 West River Drive
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

98 mi away
418 North Adams Street
BUS

Rock Island, IL

99 mi away
3500 5th Avenue
BUS

Moline, Illinois

105 mi away
1200 River Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Muscatine. Straight-line distance: 99.54 mi (160.19 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Muscatine

City in and county seat of Muscatine County, Iowa

Population23,523
Coordinates41.4244700, -91.0432100
Altitude177
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Muscatine (-91.04321, 41.42447)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 196 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 01m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.3 gal
16.27 L · about $16.22
Round trip
$32.43
8.6 gal · 32.54 L
Estimated CO2
38.2 kg one way
Round trip: 76.4 kg / 168 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.22 $32.43
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.29 $36.58
Premium $4.65 $20.01 $40.02
Diesel $5.30 $22.81 $45.61

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Waterloo and Muscatine. The current time is 19:26:43.

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.