How far is Winterset, IA from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from Winterset, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 148.1 miles (238.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 117.6 miles (189.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 12m 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
148.12 mi
02h 36m
Flight
117.58 mi
189.23 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Winterset.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
117.58 mi
Kilometers
189.23 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
148.12 mi
Kilometers
238.37 km
Drive Time
02h 36m

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 02h 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Wed, Apr 15, 6:08 PM CDT
Return by in Winterset
Wed, Apr 15, 8:44 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Winterset
2026-04-15T15:31
Arrive Waterloo
Wed, Apr 15, 6:08 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:36 AM to 12:36 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:18 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Winterset
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
Melbourne
IA

City in Iowa, United States of America

From Winterset
74 mi
01h 18m
To Waterloo
74.1 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 14 mph WSW
Destination
56°F
Overnight

Patchy Fog

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Grade Street

    38 m · 11 sec · West Grade Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South John Wayne Drive

    3.5 mi · 7 min · South John Wayne Drive

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    11.2 mi · 16 min

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right

    2023 ft · 49 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    12.1 mi · 13 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City

    14.4 mi · 17 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    4.5 mi · 5 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant

    2428 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road

    35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Marsh Avenue

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on South Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  13. 13

    Continue on 160th Street

    4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Sanford Avenue

    15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 240th Street

    6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto M Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on County Road T37

    1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37

  18. 18

    Turn sharp right onto 210th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto N Avenue

    4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue

  20. 20

    Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo

    2388 ft · 58 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left

    18 mi · 21 min

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Sergeant Road

    3054 ft · 1 min

  23. 23

    Turn slight right

    37 m · 6 sec

  24. 24

    Turn straight onto Sergeant Road

    3.8 mi · 6 min · Sergeant Road

  25. 25

    Turn right onto University Avenue

    118 m · 9 sec · University Avenue

  26. 26

    Turn straight

    1708 ft · 45 sec

  27. 27

    Turn right

    617 ft · 10 sec

  28. 28

    Continue on Washington Street

    1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street

  29. 29

    Turn right onto West 4th Street

    23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

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

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
30 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 24%
South John Wayne Drive
27.2 mi · 18%
I 35
18.9 mi · 13%
US 20 East
18.4 mi · 12%
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 11%
240th Street
6.28 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Northeast Hubbell Road

Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road

35.2 mi · 00h 42m

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
02h 36m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.5 mi
117.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Melbourne
01h 18m from Winterset
Leave By
1:18 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Winterset and Patchy Fog near Waterloo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 148.1 miles (238.4 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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?

Melbourne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74 miles from Winterset and 74.1 miles from Waterloo.

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

The direct path is about 117.6 miles (189.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.5 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 1:18 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.72 one way or $39.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Winterset and Patchy Fog near Waterloo.

Stop Ideas Near Melbourne

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Melbourne, 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 Melbourne.

RAIL

Osceola

115 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Ottumwa station

117 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Winterset and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 117.58 mi (189.23 km).

Winterset

#1 Winterset

City in Iowa

Population5,428
Coordinates41.3308200, -94.0138400
Altitude332
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 Grade Street (-94.013836, 41.330995)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 238 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.23 gal
19.78 L · about $19.72
Round trip
$39.44
10.46 gal · 39.56 L
Estimated CO2
46.5 kg one way
Round trip: 93 kg / 205 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.72 $39.44
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.24 $44.49
Premium $4.65 $24.34 $48.68
Diesel $5.30 $27.74 $55.48

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Winterset and Waterloo. The current time is 15:31:54.

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.