Origin
Clinton, IA
Afternoon in Clinton on Sunday
Local time
2:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clinton, IA to Waukee, IA
Drive Time
3h 24m
Distance
211.5 mi
340 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
Clinton, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Trip Overview
Spanning 211.5 miles across the heart of the Midwest, this trek from Clinton to Waukee takes approximately 3 hours and 24 minutes of driving time. Because the journey is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget about $31 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Navigating through Iowa, the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, offering a different pace than typical cross-country travel. It is a straightforward trip that provides a practical way to connect these two Iowa locations while keeping your travel logistics simple.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
105.8 miles from Clinton, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will navigate via South Bluff Boulevard, Manufacturing Drive, and Lincoln Way, which demands your full attention behind the wheel. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches on highways, you should prepare for a more hands-on driving experience. The road's personality is defined by its local nature, requiring you to navigate turns frequently as you transition between towns. This setup makes for a very different feel compared to high-speed transit, as you will be moving through the regional landscape at a more deliberate, local pace.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Bluff Boulevard is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 24m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Clinton, IA to Waukee, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Bluff Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Manufacturing Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lincoln Way | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 6 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Hickman Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 6th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Ashworth Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
South Bluff Boulevard
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton, IA and Waukee, IA.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue South
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
2nd Avenue South
2
Turn left onto South Bluff Boulevard
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Bluff Boulevard
3
Turn straight onto Manufacturing Drive
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Manufacturing Drive
4
Turn right onto Lincoln Way
17 mi
·
21 min
·
Lincoln Way
5
Merge slight left
14 mi
·
16 min
6
Take the exit slight right
70 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
7
Continue straight
100 mi
·
1 hr 49 min
8
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Hickman Road, Adel
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
US 6: Hickman Road, Adel
9
Turn right onto Hickman Road
5.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Hickman Road
10
Turn left onto 6th Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
6th Street
11
Turn left onto Ashworth Drive
141 ft
·
5 sec
·
Ashworth Drive
12
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip with 211.5 miles to cover, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal schedule. With only one recommended stop, you can easily manage the 3-hour and 24-minute duration without feeling rushed. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition between South Bluff Boulevard and Lincoln Way, given the turn-heavy nature of the route. Because the drive relies entirely on local roads, factor in extra time for potential traffic signals or slower zones that you wouldn't encounter on an interstate. Carrying $31 for fuel is a solid baseline, but keeping a little extra in your travel budget is always a smart move for local road navigation.
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 105.8 miles from Clinton, IA, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
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 80 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.8 miles or 1h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waukee, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clinton, 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 Clinton, IA
This is one driving day of about 211.5 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clinton, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 105.8 mi from Clinton, IA · 1h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 105.8 miles from Clinton, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Waukee, IA
The final approach into Waukee, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Waukee, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.12 one way
$64.25 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $35.41 | $70.83 |
| premium | $4.80 | $39.93 | $79.85 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $46.99 | $93.98 |
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: 74 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.4 | 0 | $22.21 | $10.15 |
| Efficient EV | 52.9 | 0 | $18.51 | $8.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.6 | 1 | $29.61 | $13.54 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Waukee, IA
Afternoon in Waukee on Sunday
Local time
2:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live 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
3h 24m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Clinton, IA to Waukee, IA covers 211.5 miles and takes about 3h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Bluff Boulevard, Manufacturing Drive, Lincoln Way. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 105.8 miles from Clinton, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.12 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 24m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Clinton, IA to Waukee, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Clinton, IA to Waukee, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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