Waukon to Indiana, IA is 220.1 miles and takes about 5h 10m via State Highway 14, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, connecting two points in the Midwest region. The route primarily uses surface roads, offering a more relaxed pace compared to interstate travel. With only one recommended stop and a drive time under six hours, this is a straightforward option for a single-day excursion, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule.
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
110.1 miles from Waukon, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Highway 14
23.5 mi
34m
McCloud Avenue
22.4 mi
25m
J Avenue
18 mi
26m
I 80
17.7 mi
18m
230th Street
13 mi
17m
270th Street
11.1 mi
15m
State Highway 51
10.6 mi
15m
Sergeant Road
9.4 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
State Highway 14
— 23.5 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukon, IA and Indiana, IA.
1
Start on IA 9
50 ft·2 sec·Allamakee Street Northwest
2
Turn right onto IA 9
56 ft·6 sec·West Main Street
3
Turn left onto IA 9; IA 76
332 ft·5 sec·Spring Avenue
4
Continue on IA 9; IA 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Rossville Road
5
Turn right onto IA 9
4.7 mi·7 min·State Highway 9
6
Turn left onto IA 51
11 mi·15 min·State Highway 51
7
Continue on IA 51
0.3 mi·29 sec·North Lawler Street
8
Turn right onto US 18; US 52
7.8 mi·10 min·West Tilden Street
9
Continue on US 18
9.1 mi·12 min·Mill Street
10
Continue on US 18
1.3 mi·1 min·East Bradford Street
11
Continue on US 18
13 mi·17 min·230th Street
12
Continue on US 18
5.5 mi·7 min·270th Street
13
Continue on US 18
0.9 mi·1 min·East Main Street
14
Continue on US 18
5.6 mi·7 min·270th Street
15
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·57 sec
16
Merge onto US 63
22 mi·25 min·McCloud Avenue
17
Continue on US 63
8.7 mi·11 min·Logan Avenue
18
Continue on US 63
1.5 mi·3 min·East Mullan Avenue
19
Turn straight onto US 63
0.4 mi·56 sec·US 63
20
Turn left onto US 63
9.4 mi·14 min·Sergeant Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 63
6.4 mi·8 min·South Hudson Road
22
Continue on US 63
2.5 mi·3 min·Q Avenue
23
Continue on US 63
4.4 mi·5 min·County Road D65
24
Continue on US 63
7.6 mi·11 min·North Main Street
25
Turn left onto US 63
12 mi·17 min·J Avenue
26
Continue on US 63
1.8 mi·2 min·North County Road
27
Continue on US 63
0.4 mi·43 sec·Harding Street
28
Turn left onto US 63
0.3 mi·24 sec·West 13th Street
29
Turn right onto US 63
1.5 mi·2 min·State Street
30
Continue on US 63
6.3 mi·9 min·J Avenue
31
Continue on US 63
8.0 mi·12 min·100th Street
32
Turn right onto US 6
5.5 mi·7 min·380th Avenue
33
Continue on US 6
0.6 mi·58 sec·6th Avenue
34
Turn left onto Penrose Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·Penrose Street
35
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·4th Avenue
36
Turn left onto IA 146
3.2 mi·5 min·West Street
37
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
38
Merge onto I 80
18 mi·18 min·I 80
39
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward US 6, IA 14: Newton, Monroe
40
Turn left onto State Highway 14
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 14
41
Continue on IA 14
1.0 mi·1 min·Monroe Street
42
Continue on IA 14
13 mi·18 min·State Highway 14
43
Continue on IA 14
2.3 mi·3 min·North Lincoln Street
44
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
45
Merge onto IA 5; IA 92
1.2 mi·1 min·IA 5; IA 92
46
Take the exit onto IA 5
0.5 mi·1 min·IA 5
47
Turn right onto IA 5
5.8 mi·8 min·IA 5
48
Turn sharp right onto CR G76
0.2 mi·24 sec·County Highway G76
49
Continue on CR G76
1.9 mi·3 min·County Highway G76
50
Arrive at destination
CR G76
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 10m duration and 220.1-mile length, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Aim for an early morning departure to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one stop suggested and a fuel cost around $34, planning is straightforward. Pay attention to signage as you transition from State Highway 14 to surface roads like McCloud Avenue and J Avenue, as these transitions can sometimes be less clearly marked than interstate exits.
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 110.1 miles from Waukon, IA, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.5 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 48 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.1 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Indiana, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Waukon, 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 Waukon, IA
This is one driving day of about 220.1 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Waukon, 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 State Highway 14 for about 23.5 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 218.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|IA 9 / West Main Street
Turn right onto IA 9 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|IA 9; IA 76 / Spring Avenue
Turn left onto IA 9; IA 76 / Spring Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
6.7 mi into trip|~10m in|IA 51 / State Highway 51
Turn left onto IA 51 / State Highway 51
Navigation decision point
5
183.1 mi into trip|~4h 14m in
Take the exit toward US 6, IA 14: Newton, Monroe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 6, IA 14: Newton, Monroe
5
218.1 mi into trip|~5h 6m in|CR G76 / County Highway G76
Turn sharp right onto CR G76 / County Highway G76
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.50 one way
$65.01 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$35.88
$71.77
premium
$4.72
$40.87
$81.73
diesel
$4.80
$41.56
$83.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66
0
$23.11
$10.56
Efficient EV
55
0
$19.26
$8.80
EV Truck/SUV
88
1
$30.81
$14.09
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Waukon, IA
Late night
in Waukon on Sunday
Local time
5:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
N 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:22PM CDT until July 20 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Destination
Indiana, IA
Late night
in Indiana on Sunday
Local time
5:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNW 7 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:22PM CDT until July 20 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
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
8 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 10m 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 15.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on surface roads, accounting for 71% of the total mileage. You'll spend the majority of your time on local routes like J Avenue and McCloud Avenue after leaving State Highway 14. The longest continuous stretch on a primary road is 23.5 miles along State Highway 14. Expect a rural cruising feel as you navigate through the Iowa landscape.
Only 29% 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: 23.5 mi on State Highway 14.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IA 9 / West Main Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 10m drive. You will face about 24 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 9 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (IA 9; IA 76 / Spring Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 6.7 miles (IA 51 / State Highway 51): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,235 ft774 ft
Total Climb
445 ft
Total Descent
758 ft
Highest Point
1,235 ft
Elevation Range
462 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Waukon, IA to Indiana, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Monroe along the way.
Indiana is a state in the heart of the Midwest region of the United States. Indiana is more than a fly-over state with one large metropolitan area, rural farmland, and cozy college towns.
Top landmarks
•Wyandotte Caves — park and its caverns in southern Indiana
•Eskenazi Museum of Art — museum at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana
•Miller House and Garden — historic home in Columbus, Indiana
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 23.5 miles on State Highway 14. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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.
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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 9 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (IA 9; IA 76 / Spring Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 6.7 miles (IA 51 / State Highway 51): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Effigy Mounds National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Indiana, IA before the return drive.
