How far is Waterloo, IA from Robins, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Robins, IA is about 48.7 miles (78.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 45.2 miles (72.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 56m 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
48.73 mi
00h 58m
Flight
45.2 mi
72.75 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
45.2 mi
Kilometers
72.75 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
48.73 mi
Kilometers
78.43 km
Drive Time
00h 58m

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 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Robins
Thu, Apr 23, 2:11 AM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Thu, Apr 23, 3:09 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-04-23T01:12
Arrive Robins
Thu, Apr 23, 2:11 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:58 AM to 10:58 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:34 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
Brandon
IA

City in Iowa

From Waterloo
24.4 mi
00h 29m
To Robins
24.4 mi
00h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 25 mph S
Destination
78°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West 4th Street

    23 m · 6 sec · West 4th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Washington Street

    2.7 mi · 4 min · Washington Street

  3. 3

    Keep slight right to continue on I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls

    6.5 mi · 8 min

  4. 4

    Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    36.2 mi · 39 min · Avenue of the Saints

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward CR E34: Toddville, Robins

    1628 ft · 47 sec

  6. 6

    Turn sharp left onto County Home Road

    2806 ft · 45 sec · County Home Road

  7. 7

    Turn right onto North Center Point Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · North Center Point Road

  8. 8

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    1.5 mi · 4 min · West Main Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto South 2nd Street

    91 m · 13 sec · South 2nd Street

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 2nd Street

Car Route Details

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

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
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
36.2 mi · 74%
I-380 south
6.54 mi · 13%
Washington Street
2.72 mi · 6%
West Main Street
1.5 mi · 3%
North Center Point Road
0.92 mi · 2%
County Home Road
0.53 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

36.2 mi · 00h 39m

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 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.5 mi
45.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brandon
00h 29m from Waterloo
Leave By
4:34 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waterloo and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Robins.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 48.7 miles (78.4 km) and usually takes 00h 58m 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?

Brandon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.4 miles from Waterloo and 24.4 miles from Robins.

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

The direct path is about 45.2 miles (72.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.5 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 4:34 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.49 one way or $12.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waterloo and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Robins.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Robins. Straight-line distance: 45.2 mi (72.75 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Robins

City in Linn County, Iowa, United States

Population3,570
Coordinates42.0711100, -91.6668400
Altitude259
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Robins (-91.66684, 42.07111)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 78 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.72 gal
6.51 L · about $6.49
Round trip
$12.97
3.44 gal · 13.02 L
Estimated CO2
15.3 kg one way
Round trip: 30.6 kg / 67 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.49 $12.97
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.32 $14.63
Premium $4.65 $8.00 $16.01
Diesel $5.30 $9.12 $18.25

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Waterloo and Robins. The current time is 01:12:56.

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.