How far is Waukee, IA from Fort Madison, IA?
The driving distance from Waukee, IA to Fort Madison, IA is about 193.1 miles (310.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 150 miles (241.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 42m 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 51m.
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 Wapello County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukee and Fort Madison.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukee and Fort Madison.
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1
Start on Ashworth Drive
43 m · 7 sec · Ashworth Drive
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2
Turn right onto 6th Street
1076 ft · 34 sec · 6th Street
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3
Turn right onto Hickman Road
5.6 mi · 9 min · Hickman Road
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4
Take the exit right toward I-35 south, I-80 west
1374 ft · 34 sec
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5
Merge slight left
1.5 km · 1 min
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6
Keep slight left
4.6 mi · 5 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, Norwalk
1.3 km · 1 min
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8
Continue on Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.9 mi · 15 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
19 mi · 23 min
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10
Turn left
32.3 mi · 36 min
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11
Take the exit right
2173 ft · 53 sec
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12
Merge slight left
77.6 mi · 1 hr 30 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
24.6 mi · 28 min · Avenue of the Saints
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IA 2: Donnellson, Fort Madison
2195 ft · 59 sec
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15
Turn left onto State Highway 2
8.9 mi · 12 min · State Highway 2
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16
Continue on Avenue O
1.7 mi · 3 min · Avenue O
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17
Continue on Old Highway 61
1602 ft · 27 sec · Old Highway 61
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18
Continue on Avenue L
1.5 mi · 3 min · Avenue L
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19
Turn left onto 18th Street
1019 ft · 21 sec · 18th Street
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20
Turn right onto Avenue H
1.3 km · 1 min · Avenue H
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21
Turn right onto Avenue I
42 m · 12 sec · Avenue I
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22
Turn left
19 m · 4 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukee and Fort Madison.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
IA 5 South
Merge slight left
77.6 mi · 01h 30m
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.
Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Waukee and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fort Madison.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukee to Fort Madison?
The road trip is about 193.1 miles (310.7 km) and usually takes 03h 51m 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?
Chillicothe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.4 miles from Waukee and 96.6 miles from Fort Madison.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 150 miles (241.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.1 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 9:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.68 one way or $51.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Waukee and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fort Madison.
Stop Ideas Near Chillicothe
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Chillicothe.
Ottumwa station
Mount Pleasant
Osceola
Fort Madison station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukee and Fort Madison. Straight-line distance: 149.98 mi (241.37 km).
#1 Waukee
City in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 26,166 |
| Coordinates | 41.6116600, -93.8852300 |
| Altitude | 314 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fort Madison
City and county seat in Lee County, Iowa
| Population | 10,263 |
| Coordinates | 40.6297600, -91.3151500 |
| Altitude | 161 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fort Madison (-91.31515, 40.62976)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 311 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.68 | $51.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.96 | $57.93 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.69 | $63.39 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.12 | $72.24 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.