How far is Waterloo, IA from Norwalk, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Norwalk, IA is about 122.5 miles (197.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 98.2 miles (158.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 21m 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
122.47 mi
02h 40m
Flight
98.21 mi
158.06 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
98.21 mi
Kilometers
158.06 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
122.47 mi
Kilometers
197.1 km
Drive Time
02h 40m

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 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Norwalk
Sat, Apr 18, 8:33 AM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Sat, Apr 18, 11:14 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-04-18T05:52
Arrive Norwalk
Sat, Apr 18, 8:33 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:41 AM to 12:41 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:08 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
Albion
IA

City in Marshall County, Iowa

From Waterloo
61.2 mi
01h 20m
To Norwalk
61.3 mi
01h 20m

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
50°F
Saturday

Chance Rain 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 Norwalk.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1.3 km · 1 min · Sergeant Road

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left

    1428 ft · 36 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    18.4 mi · 21 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center

    2083 ft · 59 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto N Avenue

    4.5 mi · 6 min · N Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn right onto 210th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street

  12. 12

    Turn sharp left onto County Road T37

    1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37

  13. 13

    Continue on M Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto 240th Street

    6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Sanford Avenue

    15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 160th Street

    4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on North Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Marsh Avenue

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right

    36.4 mi · 43 min

  20. 20

    Continue on Hubbell Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Hubbell Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn left

    2686 ft · 1 min

  22. 22

    Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

    14.6 mi · 17 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward CR R63: Southwest 9th Street

    2380 ft · 1 min

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Southwest 9th Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · Southwest 9th Street

  25. 25

    Continue on County Road R63

    1.2 mi · 2 min · County Road R63

  26. 26

    Turn right onto County Road G14

    1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road G14

  27. 27

    Continue on North Avenue

    1.1 mi · 2 min · North Avenue

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Main Street

    25 m · 4 sec · Main Street

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
29 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
18.4 mi · 15%
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 13%
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
14.6 mi · 12%
240th Street
6.28 mi · 5%
Marsh Avenue
5.95 mi · 5%
N Avenue
4.52 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

36.4 mi · 00h 43m

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 40m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.3 mi
98.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Albion
01h 20m from Waterloo
Leave By
1:08 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waterloo and Chance Rain Showers near Norwalk.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 122.5 miles (197.1 km) and usually takes 02h 40m 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?

Albion is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.2 miles from Waterloo and 61.3 miles from Norwalk.

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

The direct path is about 98.2 miles (158.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.3 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 1:08 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.29 one way or $32.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waterloo and Chance Rain Showers near Norwalk.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Norwalk. Straight-line distance: 98.21 mi (158.06 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Norwalk

City in Warren County and Polk County, Iowa, United States

Population12,449
Coordinates41.4755500, -93.6788300
Altitude288
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Norwalk (-93.67883, 41.47555)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 197 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 02m
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
4.32 gal
16.36 L · about $16.29
Round trip
$32.58
8.64 gal · 32.72 L
Estimated CO2
38.4 kg one way
Round trip: 76.8 kg / 169 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.29 $32.58
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.37 $36.75
Premium $4.65 $20.11 $40.21
Diesel $5.30 $22.91 $45.83

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 Norwalk. The current time is 05:52:06.

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.