How far is Waterloo, IL from Schaumburg, IL?

The driving distance from Waterloo, IL to Schaumburg, IL is about 317.5 miles (511 km), with a travel time of about 06h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 277.8 miles (447 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 00m 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
317.51 mi
06h 00m
Flight
277.76 mi
447.01 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
277.76 mi
Kilometers
447.01 km
Flight Time
00h 33m

Driving Distance

Road route
317.51 mi
Kilometers
510.99 km
Drive Time
06h 00m

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 06h 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Schaumburg
Thu, Apr 23, 9:10 AM CDT
Return by in Waterloo
Thu, Apr 23, 3:10 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waterloo
2026-04-23T03:10
Arrive Schaumburg
Thu, Apr 23, 9:10 AM CDT
Route Timing
06h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
12:00 PM to 2:00 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
5:00 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
Atlanta
IL

City in Logan County, Illinois, United States

From Waterloo
158.8 mi
03h 00m
To Schaumburg
158.7 mi
03h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 17 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Mill Street

    79 m · 17 sec · West Mill Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Market Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · North Market Street

  3. 3

    Turn right

    9.5 mi · 11 min

  4. 4

    Keep slight right to continue on I 255 North, IL 3 North, US 50 East: East Saint Louis, Chicago, Great River Road Illinois North

    18.2 mi · 22 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North, I 70 East: Indianapolis, Chicago

    1.2 km · 2 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    8.3 mi · 10 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City

    107.9 mi · 1 hr 57 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago

    29.4 mi · 31 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

    112.5 mi · 2 hr 3 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs

    2797 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway

    19.2 mi · 24 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    4.6 mi · 6 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 72, IL 58: Higgins Road, Woodfield Road, Golf Road

    1888 ft · 48 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto East Higgins Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · East Higgins Road

  16. 16

    Continue on West Higgins Road

    1 mi · 2 min · West Higgins Road

  17. 17

    Turn left onto North Roselle Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · North Roselle Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto West Thacker Street

    723 ft · 37 sec · West Thacker Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto North Pleasant Drive

    130 m · 19 sec · North Pleasant Drive

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Pleasant Drive

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
20 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
259 mi · 81%
Veterans Memorial Tollway
23.9 mi · 8%
I 255 North
18.2 mi · 6%
East Higgins Road
1.62 mi · 1%
North Market Street
1.41 mi
I 355 North
1.17 mi
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

112 mi · 02h 03m

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
06h 00m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
12h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.7 mi
277.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Atlanta
03h 00m from Waterloo
Leave By
5:00 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Waterloo and Mostly Sunny near Schaumburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 317.5 miles (511 km) and usually takes 06h 00m 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?

Atlanta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 158.8 miles from Waterloo and 158.7 miles from Schaumburg.

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

The direct path is about 277.8 miles (447 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.7 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 5:00 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.24 one way or $84.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Atlanta

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Atlanta and the surrounding midpoint area.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
Scenic stop 0.9 mi away

Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!

Atlanta , IL
865 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL 61723, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Tourist attraction
City of Lincoln
Meeting point 10.3 mi away

City of Lincoln

Lincoln , IL
700 Broadway St, Lincoln, IL 62656
Rating 3.8/5 4 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Atlanta.

RAIL

Lincoln

17 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
RAIL

Uptown Station

35 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

60 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway
RAIL

Springfield station

62 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Schaumburg. Straight-line distance: 277.76 mi (447.01 km).

Waterloo

#1 Waterloo

City in Illinois

Population10,536
Coordinates38.3358900, -90.1498300
Altitude216
CountryUnited States
Schaumburg

#2 Schaumburg

Large village located in Cook County in Illinois, USA

Population72,049
Coordinates42.0333600, -88.0834100
Altitude242
CountryUnited States
Start: Waterloo (-90.14983, 38.33589)
End: Schaumburg (-88.08341, 42.03336)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 511 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.2 gal
42.41 L · about $42.24
Round trip
$84.47
22.4 gal · 84.82 L
Estimated CO2
99.5 kg one way
Round trip: 199.1 kg / 439 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $42.24 $84.47
Mid-grade $4.25 $47.63 $95.27
Premium $4.65 $52.12 $104.25
Diesel $5.30 $59.40 $118.81

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 Illinois · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Waterloo and Schaumburg. The current time is 03:10:39.

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.