How far is Waterloo, IA from Oakland, IA?
The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Oakland, IA is about 217.4 miles (349.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 177 miles (284.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 04h 26m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Polk County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterloo and Oakland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo and Oakland.
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1
Start on West 4th Street
23 m · 6 sec · West 4th Street
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2
Turn right onto Washington Street
117 m · 10 sec · Washington Street
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3
Turn right onto West 5th Street
1622 ft · 34 sec · West 5th Street
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4
Continue on West 4th Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · West 4th Street
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5
Turn slight right onto West Ridgeway Avenue
3073 ft · 1 min · West Ridgeway Avenue
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6
Turn left onto Sergeant Road
1.3 km · 1 min · Sergeant Road
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7
Take the ramp left
1428 ft · 36 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
18.4 mi · 21 min · Avenue of the Saints
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
2083 ft · 59 sec
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10
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.5 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
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11
Turn right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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12
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
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13
Continue on M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
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14
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
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15
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
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16
Turn right onto 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
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17
Keep slight left to continue on North Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
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18
Continue on Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
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19
Turn right
35.9 mi · 43 min
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
13 mi · 16 min
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21
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 6 min
-
22
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
82.7 mi · 1 hr 29 min
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward US 59: Avoca, Harlan
1824 ft · 35 sec
-
24
Turn straight
14 mi · 21 min
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25
Turn right
1.4 km · 2 min
-
26
Turn left onto North Kearney Street
112 m · 17 sec · North Kearney Street
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27
Turn right onto Oakland Avenue
34 m · 5 sec · Oakland Avenue
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Oakland Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterloo and Oakland.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 80 West
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
82.7 mi · 01h 29m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Waterloo and Mostly Cloudy near Oakland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waterloo to Oakland?
The road trip is about 217.4 miles (349.8 km) and usually takes 04h 26m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Saylorville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 108.5 miles from Waterloo and 108.9 miles from Oakland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 177 miles (284.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:08 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.20 one way or $60.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waterloo and Mostly Cloudy near Oakland.
Stop Ideas Near Saylorville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Saylorville.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Oakland. Straight-line distance: 177.04 mi (284.92 km).
#1 Waterloo
The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
| Population | 67,292 |
| Coordinates | 42.4927600, -92.3429600 |
| Altitude | 261 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Oakland
Oakland is a place in Iowa, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 41.3091600, -95.3966700 |
| Altitude | 337 |
| Country | United States |
End: Oakland (-95.39667, 41.30916)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 350 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.94 | $30.20 | $60.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.28 | $32.80 | $65.61 |
| Premium | $4.84 | $37.10 | $74.20 |
| Diesel | $6.01 | $46.10 | $92.19 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026