How far is Waterloo, IA from Sibley, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Sibley, IA is about 265.3 miles (427 km), with a travel time of about 04h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 183.4 miles (295.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
265.31 mi
04h 58m
Flight
183.42 mi
295.18 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Waterloo.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
183.42 mi
Kilometers
295.18 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
265.31 mi
Kilometers
426.98 km
Drive Time
04h 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 04h 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sibley
Thu, Apr 23, 4:05 AM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Thu, Apr 23, 9:04 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-04-22T23:06
Arrive Sibley
Thu, Apr 23, 4:05 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:59 AM to 12:59 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:02 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waterloo
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Northwood
IA

City in Iowa

From Waterloo
132.5 mi
02h 29m
To Sibley
132.8 mi
02h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph SE
Destination
85°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West 4th Street

    23 m · 6 sec · West 4th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Washington Street

    1910 ft · 44 sec · Washington Street

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    6.3 mi · 8 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right

    1309 ft · 32 sec

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly

    2382 ft · 58 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    121.4 mi · 2 hr 17 min · Avenue of the Saints

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 90 West: Sioux Falls

    1265 ft · 31 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    114.6 mi · 2 hr 3 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 60

    1876 ft · 51 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto MN 60 W

    1530 ft · 30 sec · MN 60 W

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    36 m · 7 sec

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout

    2636 ft · 53 sec

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Oxford Street

    33 m · 6 sec

  14. 14

    Exit the rotary

    1.2 km · 1 min

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    26 m · 5 sec

  16. 16

    Exit the roundabout

    5.5 mi · 7 min

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    5.1 mi · 6 min

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    6.7 mi · 8 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward CR A22: Sibley

    2503 ft · 1 min

  20. 20

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 170th Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · 170th Street

  21. 21

    Continue on 5th Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · 5th Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue

    1779 ft · 36 sec · 2nd Avenue

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
23 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
12
2 merges, 10 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
121 mi · 46%
I 90 West
115 mi · 43%
Oxford Street
18.2 mi · 7%
Washington Street
6.9 mi · 3%
5th Street
0.93 mi
MN 60 W
0.81 mi
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

121 mi · 02h 17m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 58m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+81.9 mi
183.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Northwood
02h 29m from Waterloo
Leave By
7:02 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Waterloo and Mostly Sunny near Sibley.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 265.3 miles (427 km) and usually takes 04h 58m 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?

Northwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 132.5 miles from Waterloo and 132.8 miles from Sibley.

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

The direct path is about 183.4 miles (295.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 81.9 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 7:02 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.30 one way or $70.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Waterloo and Mostly Sunny near Sibley.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Sibley. Straight-line distance: 183.42 mi (295.18 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Sibley

City in Iowa

Population2,586
Coordinates43.3991400, -95.7519600
Altitude462
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Sibley (-95.75196, 43.39914)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 427 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 50m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 18m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.36 gal
35.44 L · about $35.30
Round trip
$70.59
18.72 gal · 70.88 L
Estimated CO2
83.2 kg one way
Round trip: 166.4 kg / 367 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $35.30 $70.59
Mid-grade $4.25 $39.81 $79.62
Premium $4.65 $43.56 $87.12
Diesel $5.30 $49.65 $99.29

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 Sibley. The current time is 23:06:48.

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.