Oskaloosa, IA Road Trips
Sitting in the Midwest, Oskaloosa, IA is a local road trip base with 9 trip routes mapped and ready to explore. Most drives stay under 93 miles, making this area well-suited for day trips and weekend getaways. Routes from Oskaloosa, IA spread mainly west and east, covering a wide geographic range.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
9
Longest Drive
144.2 mi
Bettendorf, IA
Quickest Drive
38m
Indiana, IA
Plan Around Oskaloosa, IA
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Oskaloosa, IA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Oskaloosa, IA
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Oskaloosa, IA
Oskaloosa, IA to Bettendorf, IA
Oskaloosa, IA to Davenport, IA
Oskaloosa, IA to Waterloo, IA
Oskaloosa, IA to Ames, IA
Oskaloosa, IA to Waukee, IA
Oskaloosa, IA to Iowa City, IA
Oskaloosa, IA to Urbandale, IA
Oskaloosa, IA to Des Moines, IA
Driving from Oskaloosa, IA
Expect an average of 93 miles and about 2h 1m behind the wheel when leaving Oskaloosa, IA. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 144 miles (2h 52m), while the shortest is just 60 miles.
Popular Destinations
Drivers leaving Oskaloosa, IA most often head toward Bettendorf, IA (144.2 mi, 2h 52m), Davenport, IA (124.2 mi, 2h 50m), Waterloo, IA (99.4 mi, 2h 27m), Ames, IA (90.2 mi, 1h 49m), and Waukee, IA (78.3 mi, 1h 36m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in IA currently averages around $3.77 per gallon. For the typical 93-mile trip from Oskaloosa, IA, budget about $14 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you. Most routes head west — leaving in the morning keeps the sun behind you for a more comfortable drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 8 mapped routes leaving Oskaloosa, IA and 1 routes heading into Oskaloosa, IA, covering 9 total connections. Distances range from 60 to 144 miles.
The longest mapped route from Oskaloosa, IA covers 144 miles and takes approximately 2h 52m. Shorter options start at just 60 miles.
The average route from Oskaloosa, IA runs about 93 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 1m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.77/gallon for regular), the average 93-mile trip from Oskaloosa, IA costs roughly $14 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Oskaloosa, IA include Bettendorf, IA, Davenport, IA, Waterloo, IA and Ames, IA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Oskaloosa, IA by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
11,492
Median Income
$62,172
Median Home Value
$128,900
Median Age
37.9
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Oskaloosa, IA
Oskaloosa is a small city in Mahaska County, Iowa. Oskaloosa is home to William Penn University, a private university, and Lake Keomah State Park which is four miles east of the city.
It is home to about 12,000 people (census, 1 April 2020)
Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum, 2211 Nelson Lane (8 min drive northeast of the city), ☏ +1 641-672-2989. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. (updated Mar 2026)
1 Lake Keomah State Park. A 366-acre (148 ha) state park that surrounds and includes Lake Keomah. Picnic shelters and a lodge may be reserved for use. There are also two boat ramps, numerous campsites, trails, modern showers, restrooms, and an unsupervised beach. (updated Apr 2026) The Southern Iowa Fair is one of the largest traditional county fairs in Iowa and is held each July. Art on the Square is held each June on the city square. This event features local and regional artists. Sweet Corn Serenade is held each July on the city square. A concert by the municipal band is the highlight of the corn-on-the-cob and pork burger feast. Each December, the Lighted Christmas Parade travels through the downtown area on two consecutive nights. The floats in the parade are adorned with lights for the after-dark event.
1 EverSpring Inn & Suites, 2401 A Ave West, ☏ +1 641-676-6000, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Mar 2026) 2 Hotel O Oskaloosa Near Eddyville, 2278 Highway 63. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Apr 2026)
From Des Moines, take Iowa Highway 163 east for 60 minutes. From St. Louis, take US Route 61 N, US Route 34 W and US Route 63 N for 4.5 hours. Daily bus by Jefferson Lines departing from Des Moines at 10AM, takes approximately 60 mins and costs $27.
Travel tips adapted from Oskaloosa on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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