How far is Iowa City, IA from Waukon, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Waukon, IA is about 141.7 miles (228 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 111.2 miles (178.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 26m 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 03h 13m.
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.
City in Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa City and Waukon.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Waukon.
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1
Start on South Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · South Gilbert Street
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2
Turn slight left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 22 sec · Kimball Road
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3
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
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4
Turn left
2315 ft · 59 sec
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5
Merge slight left
4.1 mi · 5 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
1850 ft · 45 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
3219 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
42.8 mi · 48 min · Avenue of the Saints
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IA 150: Independence, Vinton
2017 ft · 50 sec
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10
Turn right onto 31st Avenue
3.6 mi · 5 min · 31st Avenue
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11
Continue on Jamestown Avenue
10.4 mi · 14 min · Jamestown Avenue
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12
Continue on 3rd Avenue Southeast
1.4 mi · 2 min · 3rd Avenue Southeast
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13
Turn right onto 1st Street East
647 ft · 18 sec · 1st Street East
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14
Turn left onto 5th Avenue Northeast
1.5 km · 1 min · 5th Avenue Northeast
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15
Continue on Jamestown Avenue
4.3 mi · 6 min · Jamestown Avenue
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16
Continue on Jackson Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · Jackson Avenue
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17
Continue on Main Street South
1.2 km · 1 min · Main Street South
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18
Continue on Jackson Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · Jackson Avenue
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19
Continue on Palace Road
1.6 km · 1 min · Palace Road
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20
Continue on Rock Island Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Rock Island Road
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21
Continue on 1st Avenue Southeast
1413 ft · 28 sec · 1st Avenue Southeast
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22
Continue on 1st Avenue Northeast
778 ft · 13 sec · 1st Avenue Northeast
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23
Turn straight onto Highway 150
134 m · 7 sec · Highway 150
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24
Continue on North Frederick Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · North Frederick Avenue
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25
Continue on Palace Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Palace Road
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26
Turn right onto 60th Street
2177 ft · 37 sec · 60th Street
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27
Turn straight onto P Avenue
4 mi · 6 min · P Avenue
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28
Turn right onto Main Street West
1.8 mi · 3 min · Main Street West
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29
Continue on 100th Street
3.2 mi · 5 min · 100th Street
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30
Turn left onto K Avenue
4 mi · 6 min · K Avenue
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31
Continue on State Highway 150
1.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 150
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32
Continue on Lincoln Road
7.1 mi · 10 min · Lincoln Road
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33
Continue on State Highway 150
1.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 150
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34
Continue on State Highway 150
49 m · 7 sec · State Highway 150
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35
Turn slight right onto West Bradford Street
1.2 km · 1 min · West Bradford Street
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36
Continue on Harding Road
16.9 mi · 23 min · Harding Road
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37
Turn left onto North Lawler Street
1628 ft · 27 sec · North Lawler Street
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38
Continue on State Highway 51
10.6 mi · 16 min · State Highway 51
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39
Turn right onto State Highway 9
4.7 mi · 7 min · State Highway 9
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40
Turn left onto Rossville Road
2 mi · 3 min · Rossville Road
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41
Turn right onto West Main Street
17 m · 6 sec · West Main Street
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42
Turn left onto Allamakee Street Northwest
15 m · 1 sec · Allamakee Street Northwest
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43
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Allamakee Street Northwest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Waukon.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Avenue of the Saints
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
42.8 mi · 00h 48m
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 Iowa City and Mostly Cloudy near Waukon.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Waukon?
The road trip is about 141.7 miles (228 km) and usually takes 03h 13m 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?
Independence is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.8 miles from Iowa City and 70.8 miles from Waukon.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 111.2 miles (178.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.5 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 10:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.86 one way or $37.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Iowa City and Mostly Cloudy near Waukon.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Waukon. Straight-line distance: 111.16 mi (178.89 km).
#1 Iowa City
The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.
| Population | 75,130 |
| Coordinates | 41.6611300, -91.5301700 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| 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: 228 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.86 | $37.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.27 | $42.53 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.27 | $46.54 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $26.52 | $53.04 |
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 · May 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.