Fort Smith to Waterloo, Iowa: Road Trip Guide & Distance

503.2 miles 809.9 km · straight line
603.9 miles estimated 971.9 km · driving distance
12h 9min estimated drive time
$58 - $72 estimated fuel cost
~1h 31min flight time
12° NNE bearing direction

How far is Fort Smith from Waterloo, Iowa?

The distance from Fort Smith to Waterloo, Iowa is 503.2 miles (809.9 km) as the crow flies. Waterloo, Iowa is located NNE of Fort Smith. By car, the driving distance is approximately 603.9 miles, taking about 12h 9min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 31min. Both are located in United States — Fort Smith in Arkansas 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.

Coordinates come from public place data for Fort Smith 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 Fort Smith to Waterloo, Iowa

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 12h 9min $58 - $72 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 31min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~14h 35min $48–$91* Budget
Train ~15h 48min $72–$211* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Fort Smith & Waterloo, Iowa

Quick Facts

Fort Smith
35.39°N, 94.40°W
America/Chicago
134m 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 168 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 42 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 49.5 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients