How far is Waterloo, IA from Pocahontas, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Pocahontas, IA is about 142.6 miles (229.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 119.5 miles (192.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 48m 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
142.59 mi
02h 54m
Flight
119.46 mi
192.25 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
119.46 mi
Kilometers
192.25 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
142.59 mi
Kilometers
229.48 km
Drive Time
02h 54m

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 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Pocahontas
Sun, May 31, 9:57 AM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Sun, May 31, 12:51 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-05-31T07:03
Arrive Pocahontas
Sun, May 31, 9:57 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:54 AM to 12:54 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:42 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
Blairsburg
IA

Township in Hamilton County, Iowa

From Waterloo
71.1 mi
01h 27m
To Pocahontas
71.5 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 mph SE
Destination
80°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 16 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    117.4 mi · 2 hr 16 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 4: Rockwell City, Pocahontas

    2133 ft · 60 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Marshall Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Marshall Avenue

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Marshall Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Marshall Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on Marengo Avenue

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Marengo Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on South East Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South East Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Marengo Avenue

    2317 ft · 39 sec · Marengo Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on 220th Avenue

    11.5 mi · 16 min · 220th Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on Southwest 7th Street

    2573 ft · 1 min · Southwest 7th Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West Elm Avenue

    2673 ft · 51 sec · West Elm Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    1019 ft · 50 sec · North Main Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto 3rd Avenue Northwest

    22 m · 3 sec · 3rd Avenue Northwest

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 3rd Avenue Northwest

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
117 mi · 82%
220th Avenue
11.5 mi · 8%
Marengo Avenue
4.78 mi · 3%
West 4th Street
2.37 mi · 2%
Marshall Avenue
2.15 mi · 2%
Sergeant Road
1.07 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

117 mi · 02h 16m

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 54m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.1 mi
119.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Blairsburg
01h 27m from Waterloo
Leave By
12:42 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waterloo and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Pocahontas.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 142.6 miles (229.5 km) and usually takes 02h 54m 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?

Blairsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.1 miles from Waterloo and 71.5 miles from Pocahontas.

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

The direct path is about 119.5 miles (192.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.1 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 12:42 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.97 one way or $37.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Pocahontas. Straight-line distance: 119.46 mi (192.25 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Pocahontas

City in and county seat of Pocahontas County, Iowa, United States

Population1,630
Coordinates42.7355300, -94.6691500
Altitude372
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Pocahontas (-94.66915, 42.73553)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 229 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.03 gal
19.05 L · about $18.97
Round trip
$37.94
10.06 gal · 38.1 L
Estimated CO2
44.7 kg one way
Round trip: 89.4 kg / 197 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.97 $37.94
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.39 $42.79
Premium $4.65 $23.41 $46.82
Diesel $5.30 $26.68 $53.36

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 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Waterloo and Pocahontas. The current time is 07:03:30.

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.