How far is Waterloo, IA from Sanborn, IA?
The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Sanborn, IA is about 220.7 miles (355.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 174.4 miles (280.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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 34m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterloo and Sanborn.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo and Sanborn.
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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
154.1 mi · 2 hr 58 min · Avenue of the Saints
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9
Turn right onto Armstrong Avenue
6 mi · 8 min · Armstrong Avenue
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10
Continue on 20th Avenue
9.2 mi · 13 min · 20th Avenue
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11
Turn left onto Highway 7
1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 7
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12
Continue on State Highway 7
2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 7
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13
Continue on 1st Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · 1st Street
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14
Continue on V Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · V Avenue
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15
Turn left onto State Highway 3
1153 ft · 23 sec · State Highway 3
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16
Turn straight onto 530th Street
3.1 mi · 4 min · 530th Street
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17
Turn right onto State Highway 3
2.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 3
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18
Turn right
13.6 mi · 19 min
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19
Turn left onto 470th Street
4.1 mi · 6 min · 470th Street
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20
Continue on Silver Avenue
7.2 mi · 10 min · Silver Avenue
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21
Continue on South Rerick Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Rerick Avenue
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22
Continue on Silver Avenue
6 mi · 8 min · Silver Avenue
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23
Turn left onto 320th Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · 320th Street
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24
Continue on US-18
928 ft · 28 sec · US-18
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25
Turn left onto Franklin Street
1621 ft · 1 min · Franklin Street
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26
Turn right onto East 2nd Street
101 m · 14 sec · East 2nd Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 2nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterloo and Sanborn.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Avenue of the Saints
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
154 mi · 02h 58m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waterloo and Rain Showers Likely near Sanborn.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waterloo to Sanborn?
The road trip is about 220.7 miles (355.2 km) and usually takes 04h 34m 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?
Knierim is a useful midpoint, sitting about 110.2 miles from Waterloo and 110.6 miles from Sanborn.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 174.4 miles (280.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.3 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.38 one way or $58.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms around Waterloo and Rain Showers Likely near Sanborn.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Sanborn. Straight-line distance: 174.44 mi (280.73 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 Sanborn
City in Iowa
| Population | 1,390 |
| Coordinates | 43.1816400, -95.6555700 |
| Altitude | 473 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sanborn (-95.65557, 43.18164)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 355 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.38 | $58.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.13 | $66.26 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.25 | $72.51 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $41.32 | $82.64 |
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 · Jun 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.