Urbandale, IA to Waukon, IA is 207.5 miles and takes about 4h 37m via Northeast Hubbell Road, Larrabee Avenue, and Harding Road, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, entirely within Iowa, so you won't encounter significant changes in scenery. With most of the drive on surface roads, expect a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate cruise. This route is best suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach Waukon without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
103.7 miles from Urbandale, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi
41m
Larrabee Avenue
22.8 mi
26m
Harding Road
16.9 mi
23m
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi
21m
230th Street
13 mi
17m
US 20
11.2 mi
12m
270th Street
10.9 mi
14m
State Highway 51
10.6 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
Northeast Hubbell Road
— 35.2 mi, about 41m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,498 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,234
Quietest
2 AM
~283 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 81 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Urbandale, IA and Waukon, IA.
1
Start on Maryland Drive
13 ft·2 sec·Maryland Drive
2
Turn right onto 70th Street
1.2 mi·2 min·70th Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto Meredith Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Meredith Drive
4
Turn left onto IA 28
0.5 mi·1 min·Merle Hay Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I-35 north, I-80 east
6
Merge onto I 80; I 35
4.0 mi·4 min·I 80; I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 35; I 80
0.7 mi·50 sec·I 35; I 80
8
Continue on I 80; I 35
0.6 mi·40 sec·I 80; I 35
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
4.5 mi·5 min·I 80
Use the slight left lane.
10
Take the exit onto US 65
0.5 mi·1 min·US 65
Exit 142Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, BondurantUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·Northeast Hubbell Avenue
12
Continue on US 65; IA 330
35 mi·41 min·Northeast Hubbell Road
13
Turn left onto IA 330
5.9 mi·8 min·Marsh Avenue
14
Continue on IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·South Main Street
15
Continue on IA 330
4.3 mi·5 min·160th Street
16
Turn left onto IA 14
16 mi·21 min·Sanford Avenue
17
Turn right onto IA 14; IA 175
6.3 mi·9 min·240th Street
18
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi·2 min·M Avenue
19
Continue on County Road T37
1.0 mi·1 min·County Road T37
20
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.0 mi·1 min·210th Street
21
Turn left onto IA 14
4.4 mi·6 min·N Avenue
22
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
23
Merge onto US 20
11 mi·12 min·US 20
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
25
Turn left onto Grundy Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Grundy Road
26
Continue on University Avenue
3.5 mi·4 min·University Avenue
27
Enter roundabout onto Greenhill Road
8 ft·0 sec·Greenhill Road
28
Continue on Greenhill Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Greenhill Road
29
Turn left onto IA 27; IA 58
2.7 mi·3 min·Avenue of the Saints
30
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 185Toward US 218 South: WaterlooUse the slight right lane.
31
Merge onto US 218
0.7 mi·48 sec·Leo P Rooff Expressway
32
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward Broadway Street: Airport
33
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
0.3 mi·35 sec·Airport Boulevard
34
Turn right onto West Airline Highway
3.0 mi·5 min·West Airline Highway
35
Turn left onto US 63
6.9 mi·8 min·Logan Avenue
36
Continue on US 63
23 mi·26 min·Larrabee Avenue
37
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
38
At end of road, turn left onto US 18
5.4 mi·7 min·270th Street
39
Continue on US 18
0.9 mi·1 min·West Main Street
40
Continue on US 18
5.5 mi·7 min·270th Street
41
Continue on US 18
13 mi·17 min·230th Street
42
Continue on US 18
1.3 mi·1 min·West Bradford Street
43
Continue on US 18
17 mi·23 min·Harding Road
44
Turn left onto IA 51
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Lawler Street
45
Continue on IA 51
11 mi·15 min·State Highway 51
46
Turn right onto IA 9
4.7 mi·7 min·State Highway 9
47
Turn left onto IA 9; IA 76
2.0 mi·3 min·Rossville Road
48
Turn right onto IA 9
56 ft·6 sec·West Main Street
49
Turn left onto IA 9
50 ft·0 sec·Allamakee Street Northwest
50
Arrive at destination
IA 9
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 37m estimated drive time, leaving Urbandale in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Waukon. Since it's a single-day trip and the longest stretch on one road is manageable, you can be flexible with stops. Plan for one stop to break up the drive and refuel if necessary; the estimated fuel cost is around $32. Pay attention as you transition between Northeast Hubbell Road and other surface roads, as this is where speeds will decrease and you'll encounter more local traffic.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 103.7 miles from Urbandale, IA, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 46 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.7 miles or 2h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waukon, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Urbandale, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Urbandale, IA
This is one driving day of about 207.5 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Urbandale, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Northeast Hubbell Road for about 35.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 111.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.2 mi into trip|~2m in|Meredith Drive
At end of road, turn right onto Meredith Drive
Navigation decision point
5
2.5 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward I-35 north, I-80 east
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-35 north, I-80 east
6
8.1 mi into trip|~12m in|I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
12.5 mi into trip|~17m in|US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 142
Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Ma...
7
111.6 mi into trip|~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward US 218 South: Waterloo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 185
Toward US 218 South: Waterloo
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.17 one way
$64.34 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$35.28
$70.55
premium
$4.93
$40.26
$80.52
diesel
$5.60
$45.74
$91.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.3
0
$21.79
$9.96
Efficient EV
51.9
0
$18.16
$8.30
EV Truck/SUV
83
1
$29.05
$13.28
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Aug 29, 2026
Origin
Urbandale, IA
Late night
in Urbandale on Wednesday
Local time
3:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
S 9 to 13 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Waukon, IA
Late night
in Waukon on Wednesday
Local time
3:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 10 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 37m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Effigy Mounds National Monument
National Monument
The mounds preserved here are considered sacred by many Americans, especially the Monument's 20 culturally associated American Indian tribes. A visit offers opportunities to contemplate the meanings o...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 193.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with highway driving accounting for only 18% of the total distance. You'll experience a significant stretch of 35.2 miles on Northeast Hubbell Road before transitioning to other surface roads. Expect a more rural cruising feel as you navigate through towns and countryside. The highway portion ends relatively early, so be prepared for slower speeds and more intersections for the majority of your travel time.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
50 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.2 mi on Northeast Hubbell Road.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near Meredith Drive.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 207.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (Meredith Drive): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,235 ft921 ft
Total Climb
607 ft
Total Descent
314 ft
Highest Point
1,235 ft
~207.5 mi in
Elevation Range
314 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Urbandale, IA and Waukon, IA, road signs point toward Bondurant, Cr D18: Cedar Falls and Broadway Street: Airport.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 37m. Total distance: 207.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.2 miles on Northeast Hubbell Road. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Waukon, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (Meredith Drive): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Effigy Mounds National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Waukon, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
