How far is Waterloo, IA from Pella, IA?
The driving distance from Waterloo, IA to Pella, IA is about 104.1 miles (167.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 80.5 miles (129.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 31m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterloo and Pella.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo and Pella.
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1
Start on West 4th Street
23 m · 6 sec · West 4th Street
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2
Turn right onto Washington Street
117 m · 10 sec · Washington Street
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3
Turn right onto West 5th Street
1622 ft · 34 sec · West 5th Street
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4
Continue on West 4th Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · West 4th Street
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5
Turn slight right onto West Ridgeway Avenue
3073 ft · 1 min · West Ridgeway Avenue
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6
Turn left onto Sergeant Road
6.5 mi · 9 min · Sergeant Road
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7
Continue on South Hudson Road
6.4 mi · 9 min · South Hudson Road
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8
Continue on Q Avenue
2.5 mi · 3 min · Q Avenue
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9
Continue on County Road D65
4.4 mi · 6 min · County Road D65
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10
Continue on North Main Street
7.6 mi · 12 min · North Main Street
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11
Turn left onto J Avenue
11.8 mi · 17 min · J Avenue
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12
Continue on North County Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · North County Road
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13
Continue on Harding Street
2225 ft · 43 sec · Harding Street
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14
Turn left onto West 13th Street
1334 ft · 25 sec · West 13th Street
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15
Turn right onto State Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · State Street
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16
Continue on J Avenue
6.3 mi · 9 min · J Avenue
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17
Continue on 100th Street
8 mi · 12 min · 100th Street
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18
Turn right onto 380th Avenue
5.5 mi · 7 min · 380th Avenue
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19
Continue on 6th Avenue
2927 ft · 58 sec · 6th Avenue
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20
Turn left onto Penrose Street
1056 ft · 38 sec · Penrose Street
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21
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · 4th Avenue
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22
Turn left onto West Street
3.2 mi · 5 min · West Street
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23
Take the ramp right
1969 ft · 48 sec
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24
Merge slight left
8.6 mi · 9 min
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25
Take the exit slight right toward IA 224: Kellogg, Sully
1694 ft · 50 sec
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26
Turn left onto County Highway T22
786 ft · 12 sec · County Highway T22
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27
Continue on Highway T22 South
5.1 mi · 8 min · Highway T22 South
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28
Continue on Highway T22 South
2.1 mi · 3 min · Highway T22 South
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29
Turn right onto Highway F62 East
3.2 mi · 4 min · Highway F62 East
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30
At the end of the road, turn left onto Highway T14 South
11.5 mi · 16 min · Highway T14 South
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31
Continue on Main Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Main Street
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32
Turn left onto Washington Street
12 m · 1 sec · Washington Street
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterloo and Pella.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
J Avenue
Turn left onto J Avenue
11.8 mi · 00h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waterloo and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Pella.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waterloo to Pella?
The road trip is about 104.1 miles (167.5 km) and usually takes 02h 31m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Tama is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.1 miles from Waterloo and 52.1 miles from Pella.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 80.5 miles (129.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:26 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.84 one way or $27.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waterloo and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Pella.
Stop Ideas Near Tama
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 Tama.
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Pella. Straight-line distance: 80.53 mi (129.6 km).
#1 Waterloo
The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
| Population | 67,292 |
| Coordinates | 42.4927600, -92.3429600 |
| Altitude | 261 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Pella
City in Marion County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 10,266 |
| Coordinates | 41.4080500, -92.9163100 |
| Altitude | 270 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pella (-92.91631, 41.40805)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 168 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $13.84 | $27.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $15.61 | $31.22 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $17.08 | $34.16 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $19.47 | $38.93 |
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.