How far is West Liberty, IA from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from West Liberty, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 102 miles (164.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 84.4 miles (135.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 19m 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
101.97 mi
01h 39m
Flight
84.45 mi
135.91 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from West Liberty.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
84.45 mi
Kilometers
135.91 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
101.97 mi
Kilometers
164.11 km
Drive Time
01h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Fri, Apr 17, 10:37 AM CDT
Return by in West Liberty
Fri, Apr 17, 12:17 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Liberty
2026-04-17T08:57
Arrive Waterloo
Fri, Apr 17, 10:37 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:40 AM to 11:40 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:10 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in West Liberty
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Hiawatha
IA

City in Iowa

From West Liberty
51 mi
00h 49m
To Waterloo
51.1 mi
00h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 20 mph S
Destination
80°F
Friday

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 21 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West Liberty and Waterloo.

  1. 1

    Start on West 3rd Street

    820 ft · 22 sec · West 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Columbus Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · North Columbus Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Garfield Avenue

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Garfield Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left

    1415 ft · 35 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    19.6 mi · 22 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27

    1850 ft · 45 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo

    3219 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    70.8 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo

    2.9 mi · 5 min

  10. 10

    Continue on Washington Street

    2296 ft · 1 min · Washington Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto West 4th Street

    121 m · 13 sec · West 4th Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
12 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
70.8 mi · 69%
Garfield Avenue
25.8 mi · 25%
I-380 north
2.95 mi · 3%
I 380
0.96 mi · 1%
North Columbus Street
0.75 mi · 1%
Washington Street
0.43 mi
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

70.8 mi · 01h 19m

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 39m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.6 mi
84.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hiawatha
00h 49m from West Liberty
Leave By
3:10 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving West Liberty and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Waterloo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from West Liberty to Waterloo?

The road trip is about 102 miles (164.1 km) and usually takes 01h 39m 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?

Hiawatha is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51 miles from West Liberty and 51.1 miles from Waterloo.

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

The direct path is about 84.4 miles (135.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.6 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 3:10 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.58 one way or $27.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around West Liberty and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Waterloo.

Stop Ideas Near Hiawatha

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Hiawatha, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Davenport, Iowa

108 mi away
304 West River Drive
BUS

Rock Island, IL

111 mi away
3500 5th Avenue
BUS

Moline, Illinois

117 mi away
1200 River Drive
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

119 mi away
418 North Adams Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Liberty and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 84.45 mi (135.91 km).

West Liberty

#1 West Liberty

City in Morgan County, Kentucky

Population3,734
Coordinates41.5700200, -91.2637700
Altitude206
CountryUnited States
Waterloo

#2 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Start: West 3rd Street (-91.263771, 41.569972)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 164 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.6 gal
13.62 L · about $13.58
Round trip
$27.15
7.2 gal · 27.24 L
Estimated CO2
32 kg one way
Round trip: 64 kg / 141 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.58 $27.15
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.31 $30.62
Premium $4.65 $16.75 $33.51
Diesel $5.30 $19.09 $38.19

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between West Liberty and Waterloo. The current time is 08:57:55.

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.