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

The driving distance from West Union, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 59.5 miles (95.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 42.3 miles (68.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 08m 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
59.52 mi
01h 04m
Flight
42.32 mi
68.11 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from West Union.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
42.32 mi
Kilometers
68.11 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
59.52 mi
Kilometers
95.79 km
Drive Time
01h 04m

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 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Wed, Apr 29, 1:35 PM CDT
Return by in West Union
Wed, Apr 29, 2:39 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Union
2026-04-29T12:31
Arrive Waterloo
Wed, Apr 29, 1:35 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:04 AM to 11:04 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:22 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in West Union
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
Frederika
IA

Township in Bremer County, Iowa

From West Union
29.7 mi
00h 32m
To Waterloo
29.8 mi
00h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
39°F
Overnight

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 3:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 mph NW
Destination
41°F
Overnight

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Vine Street

    160 m · 28 sec · North Vine Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Bradford Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · West Bradford Street

  3. 3

    Continue on 230th Street

    13 mi · 18 min · 230th Street

  4. 4

    Continue on 270th Street

    5.5 mi · 8 min · 270th Street

  5. 5

    Continue on East Main Street

    1.5 km · 1 min · East Main Street

  6. 6

    Continue on 270th Street

    5.6 mi · 8 min · 270th Street

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left

    2080 ft · 57 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto McCloud Avenue

    22.4 mi · 26 min · McCloud Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on Logan Avenue

    8.7 mi · 12 min · Logan Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on East Mullan Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · East Mullan Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn straight

    1100 ft · 20 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on Washington Street

    1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto West 4th Street

    23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between West Union 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
14 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
McCloud Avenue
22.4 mi · 38%
230th Street
13 mi · 22%
270th Street
11.5 mi · 19%
Logan Avenue
8.67 mi · 15%
East Mullan Avenue
1.51 mi · 3%
East Main Street
0.94 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

McCloud Avenue

Merge slight left onto McCloud Avenue

22.4 mi · 00h 26m

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 04m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.2 mi
42.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Frederika
00h 32m from West Union
Leave By
4:22 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving West Union and Chance Rain Showers near Waterloo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 59.5 miles (95.8 km) and usually takes 01h 04m 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?

Frederika is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.7 miles from West Union and 29.8 miles from Waterloo.

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

The direct path is about 42.3 miles (68.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.2 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 4:22 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.92 one way or $15.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around West Union and Chance Rain Showers near Waterloo.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Union and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 42.32 mi (68.11 km).

West Union

#1 West Union

City in Iowa, United States

Population2,270
Coordinates42.9627600, -91.8082200
Altitude362
CountryUnited States
Waterloo

#2 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Start: North Vine Street (-91.808203, 42.962762)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 96 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.1 gal
7.95 L · about $7.92
Round trip
$15.84
4.2 gal · 15.9 L
Estimated CO2
18.7 kg one way
Round trip: 37.3 kg / 82 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.92 $15.84
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.93 $17.86
Premium $4.65 $9.77 $19.55
Diesel $5.30 $11.14 $22.28

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 29, 2026

There is no time difference between West Union and Waterloo. The current time is 12:31:22.

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.