How far is Britt, IA from Des Moines, IA?

The driving distance from Britt, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 120.5 miles (194 km), with a travel time of about 02h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 103.9 miles (167.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 00m 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
120.52 mi
02h 00m
Flight
103.91 mi
167.23 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Britt.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
103.91 mi
Kilometers
167.23 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
120.52 mi
Kilometers
193.96 km
Drive Time
02h 00m

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 02h 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Des Moines
Sat, Apr 18, 1:23 AM CDT
Return by in Britt
Sat, Apr 18, 3:23 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Britt
2026-04-17T23:23
Arrive Des Moines
Sat, Apr 18, 1:23 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:30 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Britt
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Williams
IA

City in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States

From Britt
60.2 mi
01h 00m
To Des Moines
60.3 mi
01h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Friday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 23 mph S
Destination
80°F
Friday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 17 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Britt and Des Moines.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Britt and Des Moines.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Avenue North

    1680 ft · 38 sec · Main Avenue North

  2. 2

    Turn right onto US Highway 18

    9.5 mi · 13 min · US Highway 18

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Sage Avenue

    26.7 mi · 37 min · Sage Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left

    15 mi · 21 min

  5. 5

    Turn left onto 190th Street

    3.4 mi · 6 min · 190th Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp right toward Somerset Road

    2433 ft · 59 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    59 mi · 1 hr 4 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 235 West: Des Moines

    1.4 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village

    1580 ft · 39 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue

    1740 ft · 45 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue

    1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto East University Avenue

    30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Britt and Des Moines.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
14 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Somerset Road
59.5 mi · 49%
Sage Avenue
26.7 mi · 22%
US Highway 18
9.51 mi · 8%
John MacVicar Freeway
4.01 mi · 3%
190th Street
3.41 mi · 3%
I 235 West
0.87 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Somerset Road

Merge slight left

59 mi · 01h 04m

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
02h 00m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.6 mi
103.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Williams
01h 00m from Britt
Leave By
2:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Britt and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Moines.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Britt to Des Moines?

The road trip is about 120.5 miles (194 km) and usually takes 02h 00m 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?

Williams is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.2 miles from Britt and 60.3 miles from Des Moines.

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

The direct path is about 103.9 miles (167.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.6 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 2:30 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.03 one way or $32.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Britt and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Moines.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Britt and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 103.91 mi (167.23 km).

Britt

#1 Britt

Human settlement in Hancock County, Iowa, United States of America

Population1,928
Coordinates43.0977400, -93.8018900
Altitude374
CountryUnited States
Des Moines

#2 Des Moines

The capital of Iowa.

Population212,312
Coordinates41.6005400, -93.6091100
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Start: Main Avenue North (-93.801819, 43.097741)
End: East University Avenue (-93.609114, 41.600425)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 194 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 00m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 00m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 43m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.25 gal
16.1 L · about $16.03
Round trip
$32.05
8.5 gal · 32.2 L
Estimated CO2
37.8 kg one way
Round trip: 75.5 kg / 166 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.03 $32.05
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.08 $36.15
Premium $4.65 $19.78 $39.56
Diesel $5.30 $22.54 $45.08

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Britt and Des Moines. The current time is 23:23:08.

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.