How far is Arnolds Park, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Arnolds Park, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 206.2 miles (331.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 144.7 miles (232.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 23m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arnolds Park and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arnolds Park and Des Moines.
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1
Start on Kruse Beach
38 m · 11 sec · Kruse Beach
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2
Turn left onto Iowa Street
792 ft · 35 sec · Iowa Street
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3
Turn right onto Linden Drive
535 ft · 22 sec · Linden Drive
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4
Turn left onto Okoboji Grove Road North
15.4 mi · 23 min · Okoboji Grove Road North
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5
Continue on Grand Avenue
1 km · 2 min · Grand Avenue
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6
Turn right onto West 8th Street
117 m · 13 sec · West 8th Street
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7
Turn left onto 1st Avenue West
2264 ft · 50 sec · 1st Avenue West
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8
At the end of the road, turn left onto West 2nd Street
119 m · 12 sec · West 2nd Street
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9
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1961 ft · 1 min · Grand Avenue
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10
Turn right onto 4th Street Southwest
1691 ft · 39 sec · 4th Street Southwest
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11
Turn left onto 4th Avenue Southwest
2608 ft · 56 sec · 4th Avenue Southwest
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12
Turn right onto 11th Street Southwest
2652 ft · 58 sec · 11th Street Southwest
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13
Turn left onto 11th Avenue Southwest
1.5 mi · 2 min · 11th Avenue Southwest
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14
Continue on 215th Avenue
13.4 mi · 18 min · 215th Avenue
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15
Continue on 130th Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · 130th Avenue
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16
Continue on County Highway 71
1.1 mi · 2 min · County Highway 71
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17
Continue on 130th Avenue
27.8 mi · 38 min · 130th Avenue
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18
Continue on US 71
1014 ft · 20 sec · US 71
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19
Take the exit left toward US 20 East: Fort Dodge
1841 ft · 51 sec
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20
Merge slight left
80.8 mi · 1 hr 33 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Des Moines
1.1 km · 1 min
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22
Merge slight left
54.5 mi · 59 min
-
23
Keep slight left to continue on I 235 West: Des Moines
1.4 km · 1 min
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24
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
1580 ft · 39 sec
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26
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
1740 ft · 45 sec
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27
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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28
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arnolds Park and Des Moines.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 20 East
Merge slight left
80.8 mi · 01h 33m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Arnolds Park and Mostly Sunny near Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arnolds Park to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 206.2 miles (331.9 km) and usually takes 03h 23m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Knierim is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103 miles from Arnolds Park and 103.2 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 144.7 miles (232.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 61.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.45 one way or $54.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Arnolds Park and Mostly Sunny near Des Moines.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arnolds Park and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 144.74 mi (232.93 km).
#1 Arnolds Park
City in Dickinson County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,354 |
| Coordinates | 43.3727400, -95.1238800 |
| Altitude | 434 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
End: East University Avenue (-93.609114, 41.600425)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 332 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.45 | $54.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.96 | $61.92 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.88 | $67.76 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $38.61 | $77.23 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.