How far is Waterloo, IA from Ottumwa, IA?
The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Ottumwa, IA is about 115.6 miles (186 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 101.8 miles (163.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 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.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 49m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterloo and Ottumwa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo and Ottumwa.
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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
2684 ft · 56 sec · Washington Street
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3
Turn right onto West 11th Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · West 11th Street
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Ridgeway Avenue
604 ft · 24 sec · East Ridgeway Avenue
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5
Turn sharp left onto Hammond Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · Hammond Avenue
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6
Turn right onto East San Marnan Drive
2661 ft · 58 sec · East San Marnan Drive
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7
Turn left onto Hawkeye Road
11 mi · 17 min · Hawkeye Road
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8
Continue on State Highway 21
8 mi · 12 min · State Highway 21
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9
At the end of the road, turn left onto 58th Street
2.5 mi · 3 min · 58th Street
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10
Turn right onto Holsted Street
20.3 mi · 29 min · Holsted Street
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11
Turn right onto 7th Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · 7th Avenue
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12
Continue on 11th Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · 11th Avenue
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13
Continue on State Highway 21
1.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 21
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14
Keep slight right to continue on State Highway 21
1.4 mi · 2 min · State Highway 21
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15
Continue on B Avenue
5.8 mi · 9 min · B Avenue
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16
Turn right
4.2 mi · 6 min
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17
Turn left onto 220th Street
10.6 mi · 16 min · 220th Street
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18
Continue on State Highway 21
2.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 21
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19
Continue on 220th Street
3 mi · 4 min · 220th Street
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20
Continue on State Highway 21
7 mi · 10 min · State Highway 21
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21
Continue on North Barnes Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · North Barnes Street
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22
Continue on State Highway 21
4.7 mi · 6 min · State Highway 21
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23
Continue on North Center Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · North Center Street
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24
Continue on Highway 21
10 mi · 14 min · Highway 21
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25
Turn right onto State Highway 149
4 mi · 5 min · State Highway 149
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26
At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 149
6 mi · 9 min · State Highway 149
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27
Continue on Old US Highway 63
2.6 mi · 3 min · Old US Highway 63
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28
Continue on South Wapello Street
2.2 mi · 3 min · South Wapello Street
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29
Turn left onto West Fourth Street
1163 ft · 27 sec · West Fourth Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Fourth Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterloo and Ottumwa.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Holsted Street
Turn right onto Holsted Street
20.3 mi · 00h 29m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waterloo and Showers And Thunderstorms near Ottumwa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waterloo to Ottumwa?
The road trip is about 115.6 miles (186 km) and usually takes 02h 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?
Victor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 57.8 miles from Waterloo and 57.7 miles from Ottumwa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 101.8 miles (163.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.8 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 12:52 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.39 one way or $30.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waterloo and Showers And Thunderstorms near Ottumwa.
Stop Ideas Near Victor
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 Victor.
Ottumwa station
Mount Pleasant
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Ottumwa. Straight-line distance: 101.82 mi (163.86 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 Ottumwa
City in Iowa
| Population | 24,375 |
| Coordinates | 41.0200100, -92.4113000 |
| Altitude | 205 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ottumwa (-92.4113, 41.02001)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 186 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $15.39 | $30.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $17.35 | $34.70 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $18.99 | $37.98 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $21.64 | $43.28 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.