How far is North Liberty, IA from Waukee, IA?

The driving distance from North Liberty, IA to Waukee, IA is about 126 miles (202.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 118.4 miles (190.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
126 mi
02h 05m
Flight
118.41 mi
190.56 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from North Liberty.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
118.41 mi
Kilometers
190.56 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
126 mi
Kilometers
202.77 km
Drive Time
02h 05m

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 02h 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waukee
Sun, Apr 19, 11:15 AM CDT
Return by in North Liberty
Sun, Apr 19, 1:20 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North Liberty
2026-04-19T09:10
Arrive Waukee
Sun, Apr 19, 11:15 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:05 AM to 12:05 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:20 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in North Liberty
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Grinnell
IA

City in Poweshiek County, Iowa, United States

From North Liberty
62.9 mi
01h 02m
To Waukee
63.1 mi
01h 02m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph NW
Destination
57°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between North Liberty and Waukee.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Liberty and Waukee.

  1. 1

    Start on North Dubuque Street

    48 m · 5 sec · North Dubuque Street

  2. 2

    Continue on North Front Street

    854 ft · 28 sec · North Front Street

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward West Penn Street

    56 m · 4 sec · West Penn Street

  4. 4

    Exit the rotary onto West Penn Street

    2.2 mi · 4 min · West Penn Street

  5. 5

    Continue on 250th Street Northwest

    1165 ft · 31 sec · 250th Street Northwest

  6. 6

    Take the ramp left toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South: Iowa City

    1696 ft · 42 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    3.1 mi · 3 min · Avenue of the Saints

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80

    1362 ft · 33 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Des Moines

    1.1 km · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    113 mi · 2 hr 3 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Hickman Road, Adel

    1898 ft · 49 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Hickman Road

    5.6 mi · 9 min · Hickman Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto 6th Street

    1119 ft · 34 sec · 6th Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Ashworth Drive

    43 m · 5 sec · Ashworth Drive

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Ashworth Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between North Liberty 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
15 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 West
114 mi · 90%
Hickman Road
5.56 mi · 4%
Avenue of the Saints
3.14 mi · 2%
West Penn Street
2.2 mi · 2%
US 6
0.36 mi
I 380 South
0.32 mi
Longest Stretch

I 80 West

Merge slight left

113 mi · 02h 03m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 05m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.6 mi
118.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Grinnell
01h 02m from North Liberty
Leave By
2:20 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving North Liberty and Sunny near Waukee.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from North Liberty to Waukee?

The road trip is about 126 miles (202.8 km) and usually takes 02h 05m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Grinnell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.9 miles from North Liberty and 63.1 miles from Waukee.

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

The direct path is about 118.4 miles (190.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:20 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.78 one way or $33.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around North Liberty and Sunny near Waukee.

Stop Ideas Near Grinnell

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Grinnell, 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 Grinnell.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

84 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Osceola

117 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North Liberty and Waukee. Straight-line distance: 118.41 mi (190.56 km).

North Liberty

#1 North Liberty

City in Johnson County, Iowa, United States of America

Population19,736
Coordinates41.7491800, -91.5979500
Altitude238
CountryUnited States
Waukee

#2 Waukee

City in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America

Population26,166
Coordinates41.6116600, -93.8852300
Altitude314
CountryUnited States
Start: North Dubuque Street (-91.597963, 41.749171)
End: Ashworth Drive (-93.885151, 41.611761)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 203 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.45 gal
16.83 L · about $16.78
Round trip
$33.56
8.9 gal · 33.66 L
Estimated CO2
39.5 kg one way
Round trip: 79.1 kg / 174 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.78 $33.56
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.93 $37.85
Premium $4.65 $20.71 $41.42
Diesel $5.30 $23.60 $47.21

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between North Liberty and Waukee. The current time is 09:10:33.

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.