Rapid City to Waterloo, Iowa: Road Trip Guide & Distance

558.1 miles 898.1 km · straight line
669.7 miles estimated 1077.7 km · driving distance
13h 28min estimated drive time
$64 - $79 estimated fuel cost
~1h 37min flight time
98° E bearing direction

How far is Rapid City from Waterloo, Iowa?

The distance from Rapid City to Waterloo, Iowa is 558.1 miles (898.1 km) as the crow flies. Waterloo, Iowa is located E of Rapid City. By car, the driving distance is approximately 669.7 miles, taking about 13h 28min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 37min. Both are located in United States — Rapid City in South Dakota 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 Rapid City 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 Rapid City to Waterloo, Iowa

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 13h 28min $64 - $79 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 37min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~16h 10min $54–$100* Budget
Train ~17h 30min $80–$234* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Rapid City & Waterloo, Iowa

Quick Facts

Rapid City
44.08°N, 103.23°W
America/Chicago
966m 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 186 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 47 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 44.6 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients