How far is Waterloo, IA from Solon, IA?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Solon, IA is about 71.6 miles (115.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 64.3 miles (103.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 01m 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
71.64 mi
01h 30m
Flight
64.3 mi
103.48 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
64.3 mi
Kilometers
103.48 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
71.64 mi
Kilometers
115.29 km
Drive Time
01h 30m

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 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Solon
Sun, May 31, 3:24 AM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Sun, May 31, 4:55 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-05-31T01:53
Arrive Solon
Sun, May 31, 3:24 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:31 AM to 11:31 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:28 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
Center Point
IA

City in Iowa

From Waterloo
35.8 mi
00h 45m
To Solon
35.9 mi
00h 45m

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
80°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    48.5 mi · 54 min · Avenue of the Saints

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right

    722 ft · 18 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on US 30 East, US 151 North: Mount Vernon

    1 km · 1 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on US 30 East, US 151 North: Mount Vernon

    1306 ft · 32 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    1.1 km · 46 sec

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward CR W6E: Ely

    2295 ft · 58 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto C Street Southwest

    658 ft · 20 sec · C Street Southwest

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Ely Road

    3.5 mi · 6 min · Ely Road

  12. 12

    Continue on State Street

    1.5 mi · 3 min · State Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Ely Road

    4.1 mi · 7 min · Ely Road

  14. 14

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Highway 382 Northeast

    48 m · 3 sec · Highway 382 Northeast

  15. 15

    Exit the roundabout onto Highway 382 Northeast

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Highway 382 Northeast

  16. 16

    Continue on West Main Street

    2007 ft · 40 sec · West Main Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
48.6 mi · 68%
Ely Road
7.54 mi · 11%
I-380 south
6.54 mi · 9%
Washington Street
2.72 mi · 4%
Highway 382 Northeast
2.26 mi · 3%
US 30 East
1.54 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

48.5 mi · 00h 54m

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 30m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.3 mi
64.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Center Point
00h 45m from Waterloo
Leave By
3:28 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waterloo and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy near Solon.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 71.6 miles (115.3 km) and usually takes 01h 30m 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?

Center Point is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.8 miles from Waterloo and 35.9 miles from Solon.

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

The direct path is about 64.3 miles (103.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:28 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.54 one way or $19.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.5 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 Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy near Solon.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Solon. Straight-line distance: 64.3 mi (103.48 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Solon

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

Population2,771
Coordinates41.8072300, -91.4940600
Altitude244
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-92.34296, 42.49276)
End: Solon (-91.49406, 41.80723)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 115 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 01m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.53 gal
9.57 L · about $9.54
Round trip
$19.08
5.06 gal · 19.14 L
Estimated CO2
22.5 kg one way
Round trip: 45 kg / 99 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.54 $19.08
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.76 $21.52
Premium $4.65 $11.77 $23.55
Diesel $5.30 $13.42 $26.84

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 Solon. The current time is 01:53:53.

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.