Sacramento to Waterloo, Iowa: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1546.5 miles 2488.9 km · straight line
1825.7 miles actual route 2938.2 km · driving distance
31h 19min estimated drive time
$176 - $216 estimated fuel cost
~3h 37min flight time
71° ENE bearing direction

How far is Sacramento from Waterloo, Iowa?

The distance from Sacramento to Waterloo, Iowa is 1546.5 miles (2488.9 km) as the crow flies. Waterloo, Iowa is located ENE of Sacramento. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1825.7 miles, taking about 31h 19min. A direct flight would take roughly 3h 37min. Both are located in United States — Sacramento 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 Sacramento and Waterloo, Iowa. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Sacramento to Waterloo, Iowa

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 31h 19min $176 - $216 Flexible stops
Fly ~3h 37min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~37h 35min $146–$274* Budget
Train ~40h 43min $219–$639* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Sacramento & Waterloo, Iowa

Quick Facts

Sacramento
38.58°N, 121.49°W
America/Los_Angeles
9m 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 516 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 129 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 16.1 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM