Origin
Pella, IA
Night in Pella on Saturday
Local time
11:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pella, IA to Des Moines, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
55m
Distance
42.5 mi
68 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 51m
★
6 AM
0h 56m
8 AM
1h 5m
10 AM
0h 59m
12 PM
0h 58m
3 PM
1h 0m
5 PM
1h 5m
8 PM
0h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pella, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion from Pella to Des Moines, you are looking at a straightforward 42.5-mile journey that typically takes about 55 minutes. This Midwest route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning there is no need to worry about overnight logistics. With a fuel budget of just $6, it is an economical way to bridge the gap between these two Iowa communities. You will spend the vast majority of your time on IA 163, making it a highly predictable commute. Whether you are heading into the capital for business or leisure, this drive offers a reliable, low-stress transition between regions.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| IA 163 | 40.4 mi | 52m |
| Washington Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| East University Avenue | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
IA 163
— 40.4 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pella, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on Washington Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Washington Street
2
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
3
Merge onto IA 163
40 mi
·
52 min
·
IA 163
4
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 42.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.2 miles from Pella, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
2 of 22 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
3
2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
IA 163
Merge onto IA 163
Merge point - match speed before joining
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.64 one way
$13.29 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $7.30 | $14.59 |
| premium | $4.89 | $8.18 | $16.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.38 | $18.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.8 | 0 | $4.46 | $2.04 |
| Efficient EV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.72 | $1.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17 | 0 | $5.95 | $2.72 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (67% 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
Des Moines, IA
Night in Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
11:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
18 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
55m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of your travel spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on a 40.4-mile stretch along IA 163, which provides a consistent, high-speed experience for almost the entire duration. As you approach the city, the route transitions from the open highway onto East University Avenue. Expect a steady, uninterrupted pace behind the wheel that allows you to cover the distance efficiently. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
4 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 40.4 mi on IA 163.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IA 163 and Washington Street. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Pella, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 55m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (IA 163): Merge point - match speed before joining.
About the Cities
Arriving in Des Moines, IA
Full guide →Des Moines, capital of Iowa, is in the western region of the American Midwest. Des Moines is the largest city in Iowa and the annual site of the Iowa State Fair and numerous cultural festivals during warm weather months. History enthusiasts will find 110 historic sites in and around the city as part of the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area. The city appeals to travelers with an interest in the arts who marvel at the architecture of the State Capitol with its five domes, including the large main dome with its gleaming 23-karat gold surface. The city has a good art museum, a symphony that performs in the downtown Civic Center (along with opera, ballet, and other performing arts), and a big annual arts festival that draws visitors from across Iowa and beyond.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 55m. Total distance: 42.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 40.4 miles on IA 163. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (IA 163): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Des Moines, IA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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