Death Valley to Waterloo, Iowa: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1368.3 miles 2202 km · straight line
1641.9 miles estimated 2642.4 km · driving distance
33h 2min estimated drive time
$158 - $194 estimated fuel cost
~3h 15min flight time
65° ENE bearing direction

How far is Death Valley from Waterloo, Iowa?

The distance from Death Valley to Waterloo, Iowa is 1368.3 miles (2202 km) as the crow flies. Waterloo, Iowa is located ENE of Death Valley. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1641.9 miles, taking about 33h 2min. A direct flight would take roughly 3h 15min. Both are located in United States — Death Valley in California and Waterloo, Iowa in Iowa.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Death Valley and Waterloo, Iowa. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Death Valley to Waterloo, Iowa

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 33h 2min $158 - $194 Flexible stops
Fly ~3h 15min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~39h 38min $131–$246* Budget
Train ~42h 57min $197–$575* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Death Valley & Waterloo, Iowa

Quick Facts

Death Valley
36.53°N, 116.93°W
America/Los_Angeles
-86m elevation
Waterloo, Iowa
42.49°N, 92.34°W
America/Chicago
261m elevation
Explore more routes from Waterloo, Iowa

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 456 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 114 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 18.2 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients