How far is Ames, IA from Waukon, IA?
The driving distance from Ames, IA to Waukon, IA is about 190.5 miles (306.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.4 miles (222.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 04h 04m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
The largest city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ames and Waukon.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ames and Waukon.
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1
Start on 13th Street
2.7 mi · 5 min · 13th Street
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2
Turn left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis
28.6 mi · 31 min
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3
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
2998 ft · 1 min
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4
Merge slight left
53.9 mi · 1 hr 2 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
2133 ft · 1 min
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6
Turn left onto Grundy Road
1.6 km · 1 min · Grundy Road
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7
Continue on University Avenue
3.5 mi · 5 min · University Avenue
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Greenhill Road
2 m · 1 sec · Greenhill Road
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9
Exit the roundabout onto Greenhill Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Greenhill Road
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10
Turn left onto Avenue of the Saints
2.7 mi · 4 min · Avenue of the Saints
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 218 South: Waterloo
1.4 km · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway
1.1 km · 48 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway Street: Airport
2340 ft · 1 min
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14
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
1496 ft · 36 sec · Airport Boulevard
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15
Turn right onto West Airline Highway
3 mi · 5 min · West Airline Highway
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16
Turn left onto Logan Avenue
6.9 mi · 8 min · Logan Avenue
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17
Continue on Larrabee Avenue
22.8 mi · 26 min · Larrabee Avenue
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18
Take the exit slight right
1912 ft · 57 sec
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19
At the end of the road, turn left onto 270th Street
5.4 mi · 7 min · 270th Street
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20
Continue on West Main Street
1.5 km · 1 min · West Main Street
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21
Continue on 270th Street
5.5 mi · 8 min · 270th Street
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22
Continue on 230th Street
13 mi · 18 min · 230th Street
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23
Continue on West Bradford Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Bradford Street
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24
Continue on Harding Road
16.9 mi · 23 min · Harding Road
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25
Turn left onto North Lawler Street
1628 ft · 27 sec · North Lawler Street
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26
Continue on State Highway 51
10.6 mi · 16 min · State Highway 51
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27
Turn right onto State Highway 9
4.7 mi · 7 min · State Highway 9
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28
Turn left onto Rossville Road
2 mi · 3 min · Rossville Road
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29
Turn right onto West Main Street
17 m · 6 sec · West Main Street
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30
Turn left onto Allamakee Street Northwest
15 m · 1 sec · Allamakee Street Northwest
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Allamakee Street Northwest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ames and Waukon.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
US 20 East
Merge slight left
53.9 mi · 01h 02m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Ames and Sunny near Waukon.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ames to Waukon?
The road trip is about 190.5 miles (306.6 km) and usually takes 04h 04m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Cedar Falls is a useful midpoint, sitting about 95.1 miles from Ames and 95.4 miles from Waukon.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.4 miles (222.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.34 one way or $50.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ames and Sunny near Waukon.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Waukon. Straight-line distance: 138.38 mi (222.7 km).
#1 Ames
The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.
| Population | 67,033 |
| Coordinates | 42.0347100, -93.6199400 |
| Altitude | 287 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Waukon
City in Iowa
| Population | 3,600 |
| Coordinates | 43.2694200, -91.4757000 |
| Altitude | 377 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waukon (-91.4757, 43.26942)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 307 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.34 | $50.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.58 | $57.16 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.27 | $62.55 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.64 | $71.29 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.