How far is Waukon, IA from Ames, IA?
The driving distance from Waukon, IA to Ames, IA is about 193.2 miles (311 km), with a travel time of about 03h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.4 miles (222.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 30m 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 15m.
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 Waukon and Ames.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukon and Ames.
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1
Start on Allamakee Street Northwest
15 m · 3 sec · Allamakee Street Northwest
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2
Turn right onto West Main Street
17 m · 6 sec · West Main Street
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3
Turn left onto Spring Avenue
101 m · 6 sec · Spring Avenue
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4
Continue on Rossville Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Rossville Road
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5
Turn right onto State Highway 9
4.7 mi · 7 min · State Highway 9
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6
Turn left onto State Highway 51
10.6 mi · 16 min · State Highway 51
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7
Continue on North Lawler Street
1628 ft · 29 sec · North Lawler Street
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8
Turn right onto West Tilden Street
7.8 mi · 11 min · West Tilden Street
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9
Continue on Mill Street
9.1 mi · 13 min · Mill Street
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10
Continue on East Bradford Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · East Bradford Street
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11
Continue on 230th Street
13 mi · 18 min · 230th Street
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12
Continue on 270th Street
5.5 mi · 8 min · 270th Street
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13
Continue on East Main Street
1.5 km · 1 min · East Main Street
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14
Continue on 270th Street
5.6 mi · 8 min · 270th Street
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15
Take the ramp left
2080 ft · 57 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto McCloud Avenue
22.4 mi · 26 min · McCloud Avenue
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17
Continue on Logan Avenue
6.9 mi · 9 min · Logan Avenue
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18
Turn right onto West Airline Highway
3 mi · 5 min · West Airline Highway
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19
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
786 ft · 21 sec · Airport Boulevard
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20
Take the ramp right toward US 218 north
2788 ft · 1 min
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21
Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway
3116 ft · 41 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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22
Take the exit slight right
1309 ft · 32 sec
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23
Keep slight left to continue on IA 27 South, IA 58 South: Hudson, UNI
1 mi · 2 min
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24
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
1.2 mi · 2 min · Avenue of the Saints
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25
Take the exit slight right toward University Avenue
1165 ft · 28 sec
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26
Keep slight right
102 m · 8 sec
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27
Turn straight onto University Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · University Avenue
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28
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward University Avenue
38 m · 3 sec · University Avenue
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29
Exit the roundabout onto University Avenue
3.5 mi · 5 min · University Avenue
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30
Continue on Grundy Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Grundy Road
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31
Take the ramp right
2235 ft · 54 sec
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32
Merge slight left
54.3 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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33
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Des Moines
1612 ft · 55 sec
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34
Merge slight left
28.6 mi · 31 min
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35
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 Business: USDA Veterinary Labs
2063 ft · 53 sec
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36
Turn right onto East 13th Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · East 13th Street
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 13th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukon and Ames.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Grundy Road
Merge slight left
54.3 mi · 01h 03m
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 Waukon and Sunny near Ames.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukon to Ames?
The road trip is about 193.2 miles (311 km) and usually takes 03h 15m 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 miles from Waukon and 98.2 miles from Ames.
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 54.8 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 10:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.72 one way or $51.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Waukon and Sunny near Ames.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukon and Ames. Straight-line distance: 138.38 mi (222.7 km).
#1 Waukon
City in Iowa
| Population | 3,600 |
| Coordinates | 43.2694200, -91.4757000 |
| Altitude | 377 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ames
The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.
| Population | 67,033 |
| Coordinates | 42.0347100, -93.6199400 |
| Altitude | 287 |
| Country | United States |
End: 13th Street (-93.619967, 42.034517)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 311 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 26m |
| 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 | $25.72 | $51.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.01 | $58.01 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.74 | $63.48 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.17 | $72.35 |
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.