How far is Waterloo, IA from Sidney, IA?
The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Sidney, IA is about 280.3 miles (451.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 208.9 miles (336.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 19m 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 05h 39m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterloo and Sidney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo and Sidney.
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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
18.4 mi · 21 min · Avenue of the Saints
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
2083 ft · 59 sec
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10
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.5 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
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11
Turn right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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12
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
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13
Continue on M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
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14
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
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15
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
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16
Turn right onto 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
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17
Keep slight left to continue on North Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
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18
Continue on Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
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19
Turn right
35.9 mi · 43 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
13 mi · 16 min
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21
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 6 min
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22
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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23
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
23.5 mi · 25 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I 29 South: Kansas City
1.1 mi · 1 min
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25
Merge slight left
27.9 mi · 30 min
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26
Take the exit slight right toward CR J24: Mc Paul, Thurman
1526 ft · 44 sec
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27
Turn left onto 155 Street
587 ft · 16 sec · 155 Street
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28
Continue on North Street
2.8 mi · 7 min · North Street
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29
Turn right onto Fletcher Street
806 ft · 27 sec · Fletcher Street
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30
Turn left onto Filmore Street
2887 ft · 1 min · Filmore Street
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31
Continue on State Highway 145
3.8 mi · 9 min · State Highway 145
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32
Turn right onto US 275
4.5 mi · 7 min · US 275
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33
Continue on Old Highway 275
1588 ft · 32 sec · Old Highway 275
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34
Continue on Illinois Street
2086 ft · 44 sec · Illinois Street
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35
Turn right onto Filmore Street
19 m · 3 sec · Filmore Street
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Filmore Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterloo and Sidney.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 80 West
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 01h 43m
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.
Sunny leaving Waterloo and Sunny near Sidney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waterloo to Sidney?
The road trip is about 280.3 miles (451.1 km) and usually takes 05h 39m 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?
Earlham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140 miles from Waterloo and 140.3 miles from Sidney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 208.9 miles (336.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 71.4 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 5:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.30 one way or $74.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Waterloo and Sunny near Sidney.
Stop Ideas Near Earlham
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Earlham.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Sidney. Straight-line distance: 208.92 mi (336.23 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 Sidney
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,016 |
| Coordinates | 40.7483300, -95.6475000 |
| Altitude | 356 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sidney (-95.6475, 40.74833)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 451 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.30 | $74.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.06 | $84.12 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.03 | $92.06 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $52.46 | $104.91 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.