How far is Waukee, IA from Indianola, IA?
The driving distance from Waukee, IA to Indianola, IA is about 33.4 miles (53.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.4 miles (39.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 35m 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 00h 47m.
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.
City in Warren County and Polk County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukee and Indianola.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukee and Indianola.
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1
Start on Ashworth Drive
43 m · 7 sec · Ashworth Drive
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2
Turn right onto 6th Street
1076 ft · 34 sec · 6th Street
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3
Turn right onto Hickman Road
5.6 mi · 9 min · Hickman Road
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4
Take the exit right toward I-35 south, I-80 west
1374 ft · 34 sec
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5
Merge slight left
1.5 km · 1 min
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6
Keep slight left
4.6 mi · 5 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, Norwalk
1.3 km · 1 min
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8
Continue on Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
10.3 mi · 12 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South, US 69 South: Indianola
3210 ft · 1 min
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10
Turn straight onto Southridge Boulevard
10 mi · 16 min · Southridge Boulevard
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11
Turn left onto East 2nd Avenue
89 m · 7 sec · East 2nd Avenue
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12
Turn right
24 m · 6 sec
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukee and Indianola.
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.
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Continue on Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
10.3 mi · 00h 12m
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.
Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Waukee and Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Indianola.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukee to Indianola?
The road trip is about 33.4 miles (53.8 km) and usually takes 00h 47m 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?
Norwalk is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.7 miles from Waukee and 16.7 miles from Indianola.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.4 miles (39.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 9 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 4:54 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.45 one way or $8.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Waukee and Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Indianola.
Stop Ideas Near Norwalk
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 Norwalk.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukee and Indianola. Straight-line distance: 24.39 mi (39.25 km).
#1 Waukee
City in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 26,166 |
| Coordinates | 41.6116600, -93.8852300 |
| Altitude | 314 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Indianola
City in Mississippi
| Population | 16,072 |
| Coordinates | 41.3580500, -93.5574400 |
| Altitude | 295 |
| Country | United States |
End: Indianola (-93.55744, 41.35805)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 54 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.45 | $8.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.02 | $10.04 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.49 | $10.98 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.26 | $12.52 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.