How far is Le Mars, IA from Waukee, IA?

The driving distance from Le Mars, IA to Waukee, IA is about 214.2 miles (344.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 142.5 miles (229.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
214.17 mi
03h 20m
Flight
142.46 mi
229.27 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Le Mars.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
142.46 mi
Kilometers
229.27 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
214.17 mi
Kilometers
344.68 km
Drive Time
03h 20m

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 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waukee
Fri, Apr 17, 1:05 AM CDT
Return by in Le Mars
Fri, Apr 17, 4:25 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Le Mars
2026-04-16T21:45
Arrive Waukee
Fri, Apr 17, 1:05 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:20 AM to 11:20 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:20 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Le Mars
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Missouri Valley
IA

City in Harrison County, Iowa

From Le Mars
106.9 mi
01h 40m
To Waukee
107.2 mi
01h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 7:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 20 mph S
Destination
78°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Le Mars and Waukee.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Le Mars and Waukee.

  1. 1

    Start on 1st Street Northeast

    2204 ft · 1 min · 1st Street Northeast

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 5th Avenue Northwest

    134 m · 15 sec · 5th Avenue Northwest

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Plymouth Street Southwest

    2601 ft · 1 min · Plymouth Street Southwest

  4. 4

    Continue on Plymouth Street West

    112 m · 6 sec · Plymouth Street West

  5. 5

    Continue on State Highway 3

    1.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 3

  6. 6

    Take the ramp left toward US 75

    1813 ft · 44 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    27.6 mi · 33 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 29: Sioux City, Council Bluffs

    1754 ft · 23 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 29 South: Council Bluffs, Sioux Gateway Airport

    73.3 mi · 1 hr 19 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 880 East: Des Moines

    1.2 km · 2 min

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    16 mi · 17 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Des Moines

    1.1 km · 44 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight right

    89.2 mi · 1 hr 36 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward CR R22: Waukee, Booneville

    1515 ft · 43 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Ute Avenue

    2.8 mi · 5 min · Ute Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on 6th Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · 6th Street

  17. 17

    Turn sharp right onto Ashworth Drive

    43 m · 5 sec · Ashworth Drive

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Ashworth Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Le Mars and Waukee.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
89.9 mi · 42%
I 29 South
73.3 mi · 34%
US 75
27.9 mi · 13%
I 880 East
16.8 mi · 8%
Ute Avenue
2.81 mi · 1%
State Highway 3
1.1 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight right

89.2 mi · 01h 36m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 20m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+71.7 mi
142.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Missouri Valley
01h 40m from Le Mars
Leave By
10:20 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Le Mars and Sunny near Waukee.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Le Mars to Waukee?

The road trip is about 214.2 miles (344.7 km) and usually takes 03h 20m 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?

Missouri Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.9 miles from Le Mars and 107.2 miles from Waukee.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 142.5 miles (229.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 71.7 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 10:20 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.51 one way or $57.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Le Mars and Sunny near Waukee.

Stop Ideas Near Missouri Valley

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Missouri Valley, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Missouri Valley.

RAIL

Omaha

34 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street
RAIL

Lincoln

107 mi away
201 North 7th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Le Mars and Waukee. Straight-line distance: 142.46 mi (229.27 km).

Le Mars

#1 Le Mars

City in Iowa, United States

Population10,195
Coordinates42.7941600, -96.1655800
Altitude376
CountryUnited States
Waukee

#2 Waukee

City in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America

Population26,166
Coordinates41.6116600, -93.8852300
Altitude314
CountryUnited States
Start: 1st Street Northeast (-96.165582, 42.794299)
End: Ashworth Drive (-93.885151, 41.611761)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 345 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 21m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 17m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 40m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.56 gal
28.61 L · about $28.51
Round trip
$57.02
15.12 gal · 57.22 L
Estimated CO2
67.2 kg one way
Round trip: 134.4 kg / 296 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $28.51 $57.02
Mid-grade $4.25 $32.15 $64.31
Premium $4.65 $35.18 $70.37
Diesel $5.30 $40.10 $80.20

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Le Mars and Waukee. The current time is 21:45:31.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.