How far is Waterloo, IA from Roland, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Roland, IA is about 89.3 miles (143.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 63.3 miles (101.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 35m 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
89.27 mi
01h 47m
Flight
63.35 mi
101.95 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
63.35 mi
Kilometers
101.95 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
89.27 mi
Kilometers
143.67 km
Drive Time
01h 47m

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 01h 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Roland
Sun, May 31, 6:00 AM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Sun, May 31, 7:48 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-05-31T04:12
Arrive Roland
Sun, May 31, 6:00 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:48 AM to 11:48 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:54 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
Owasa
IA

Human settlement in Hardin County, Iowa, United States of America

From Waterloo
44.6 mi
00h 53m
To Roland
44.7 mi
00h 53m

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
79°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 15 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    61.4 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Des Moines

    1612 ft · 55 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    19.2 mi · 21 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward CR E18: Roland, McCallsburg

    1681 ft · 48 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto 130th Street

    3.1 mi · 5 min · 130th Street

  13. 13

    Continue on West Maple Street

    2659 ft · 53 sec · West Maple Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Maple Street

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
61.4 mi · 69%
I 35 South
19.5 mi · 22%
130th Street
3.13 mi · 4%
West 4th Street
2.37 mi · 3%
Sergeant Road
1.07 mi · 1%
West Ridgeway Avenue
0.58 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

61.4 mi · 01h 11m

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
01h 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26 mi
63.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Owasa
00h 53m from Waterloo
Leave By
2:54 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 Roland.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 89.3 miles (143.7 km) and usually takes 01h 47m 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?

Owasa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44.6 miles from Waterloo and 44.7 miles from Roland.

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

The direct path is about 63.3 miles (101.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 26 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 2:54 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.88 one way or $23.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28 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 Roland.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Roland. Straight-line distance: 63.35 mi (101.95 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Roland

City in Iowa

Population1,252
Coordinates42.1663700, -93.5018800
Altitude312
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Roland (-93.50188, 42.16637)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 144 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.15 gal
11.92 L · about $11.88
Round trip
$23.76
6.3 gal · 23.84 L
Estimated CO2
28 kg one way
Round trip: 56 kg / 123 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $11.88 $23.76
Mid-grade $4.25 $13.40 $26.79
Premium $4.65 $14.66 $29.32
Diesel $5.30 $16.71 $33.42

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 Roland. The current time is 04:12:35.

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.