How far is Waterloo, IA from Nashua, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Nashua, IA is about 40.1 miles (64.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 33.2 miles (53.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 38m 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
40.11 mi
00h 49m
Flight
33.26 mi
53.53 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
33.26 mi
Kilometers
53.53 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
40.11 mi
Kilometers
64.55 km
Drive Time
00h 49m

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 00h 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Nashua
Sat, Apr 18, 6:17 AM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Sat, Apr 18, 7:06 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-04-18T05:28
Arrive Nashua
Sat, Apr 18, 6:17 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:49 AM to 10:49 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:52 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
Waverly
IA

City in Bremer County, Iowa, United States

From Waterloo
20.1 mi
00h 24m
To Nashua
20.1 mi
00h 24m

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
45°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
18 to 23 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West 4th Street

    23 m · 6 sec · West 4th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Washington Street

    1910 ft · 44 sec · Washington Street

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    6.3 mi · 8 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right

    1309 ft · 32 sec

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly

    2382 ft · 58 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    31.6 mi · 36 min · Avenue of the Saints

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right

    2050 ft · 57 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Sample Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · Sample Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Main Street

    612 ft · 27 sec · Main Street

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
10 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
32 mi · 80%
Washington Street
6.9 mi · 17%
Sample Street
0.67 mi · 2%
US 218 North
0.45 mi · 1%
Main Street
0.12 mi
West 4th Street
0.01 mi
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

31.6 mi · 00h 36m

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
00h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.9 mi
33.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Waverly
00h 24m from Waterloo
Leave By
4:52 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 40.1 miles (64.6 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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?

Waverly is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.1 miles from Waterloo and 20.1 miles from Nashua.

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

The direct path is about 33.2 miles (53.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.9 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 4:52 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.35 one way or $10.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Nashua. Straight-line distance: 33.26 mi (53.53 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Nashua

City in Chickasaw and Floyd counties in Iowa, United States

Population1,571
Coordinates42.9527500, -92.5363000
Altitude297
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Nashua (-92.5363, 42.95275)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 65 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 00m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 48m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.42 gal
5.36 L · about $5.35
Round trip
$10.71
2.84 gal · 10.72 L
Estimated CO2
12.6 kg one way
Round trip: 25.2 kg / 56 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $5.35 $10.71
Mid-grade $4.25 $6.04 $12.08
Premium $4.65 $6.61 $13.22
Diesel $5.30 $7.53 $15.06

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 Nashua. The current time is 05:28:48.

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.