How far is Waukee, IA from Pella, IA?

The driving distance from Waukee, IA to Pella, IA is about 59.3 miles (95.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 19m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 52.1 miles (83.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
59.27 mi
01h 19m
Flight
52.07 mi
83.8 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Waukee.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
52.07 mi
Kilometers
83.8 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
59.27 mi
Kilometers
95.38 km
Drive Time
01h 19m

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 01h 19m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Pella
Thu, Apr 23, 10:47 AM CDT
Return by in Waukee
Thu, Apr 23, 12:06 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waukee
2026-04-23T09:27
Arrive Pella
Thu, Apr 23, 10:47 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 19m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:19 AM to 11:19 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:52 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waukee
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Mitchellville
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Waukee
29.6 mi
00h 39m
To Pella
29.7 mi
00h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 28 mph S
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 23 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Waukee and Pella.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waukee and Pella.

  1. 1

    Start on Ashworth Drive

    43 m · 5 sec · Ashworth Drive

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 6th Street

    1076 ft · 34 sec · 6th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Hickman Road

    5.6 mi · 9 min · Hickman Road

  4. 4

    Take the exit right toward I-35 south, I-80 west

    1374 ft · 34 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    1.5 km · 1 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    2012 ft · 26 sec

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 235 East: West Des Moines, Des Moines

    2327 ft · 57 sec · Ramp 72 I

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway

    9.6 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 163 East: East University Avenue, State Fairgrounds

    2795 ft · 43 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto East University Avenue

    7.7 mi · 13 min · East University Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on Northeast University Avenue

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Northeast University Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on East University Avenue

    29.5 mi · 34 min · East University Avenue

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward CR G28: Pella, Lake Red Rock

    2170 ft · 57 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto County Highway G28

    121 m · 8 sec · County Highway G28

  15. 15

    Continue on Washington Street

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Washington Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Washington Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukee and Pella.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
16 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
27 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East University Avenue
37.2 mi · 63%
John MacVicar Freeway
9.61 mi · 16%
Hickman Road
5.56 mi · 9%
Washington Street
1.8 mi · 3%
Northeast University Avenue
1.8 mi · 3%
I-35 south
1.58 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

East University Avenue

Continue on East University Avenue

29.5 mi · 00h 34m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 19m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.2 mi
52.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mitchellville
00h 39m from Waukee
Leave By
3:52 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Waukee 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 Waukee to Pella?

The road trip is about 59.3 miles (95.4 km) and usually takes 01h 19m 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?

Mitchellville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.6 miles from Waukee and 29.7 miles from Pella.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 52.1 miles (83.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.2 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 3:52 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.88 one way or $15.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Waukee and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Pella.

Stop Ideas Near Mitchellville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Mitchellville, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mitchellville.

RAIL

Osceola

78 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Ottumwa station

107 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Creston

108 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waukee and Pella. Straight-line distance: 52.07 mi (83.8 km).

Waukee

#1 Waukee

City in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America

Population26,166
Coordinates41.6116600, -93.8852300
Altitude314
CountryUnited States
Pella

#2 Pella

City in Marion County, Iowa, United States

Population10,266
Coordinates41.4080500, -92.9163100
Altitude270
CountryUnited States
Start: Waukee (-93.88523, 41.61166)
End: Pella (-92.91631, 41.40805)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 95 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.09 gal
7.92 L · about $7.88
Round trip
$15.76
4.18 gal · 15.84 L
Estimated CO2
18.6 kg one way
Round trip: 37.1 kg / 82 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.88 $15.76
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.89 $17.78
Premium $4.65 $9.73 $19.45
Diesel $5.30 $11.09 $22.17

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

There is no time difference between Waukee and Pella. The current time is 09:27:49.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.