How far is Carter Lake, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Carter Lake, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 137.9 miles (221.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 121.5 miles (195.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 14m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Human settlement in Audubon County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carter Lake and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carter Lake and Des Moines.
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1
Start on North 9th Street
2043 ft · 1 min · North 9th Street
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2
Turn right onto East Locust Street
1 km · 2 min · East Locust Street
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3
Turn left onto North 11th Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · North 11th Street
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4
Continue on Izard Street
1113 ft · 38 sec · Izard Street
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto North 14th Street
2223 ft · 1 min · North 14th Street
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6
Take the ramp slight left toward I 480 East
1781 ft · 34 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Gerald R Ford Expressway
1.4 km · 1 min · Gerald R Ford Expressway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 29 South: Kansas City
1483 ft · 36 sec
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9
Keep slight left
4.6 mi · 6 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Des Moines
1.1 mi · 1 min
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11
Continue straight
118.2 mi · 2 hr 7 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on John MacVicar Freeway
8.9 mi · 11 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward East Village, East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue
2031 ft · 1 min
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14
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
2179 ft · 48 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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15
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carter Lake 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.
I 80 East
Continue straight
118 mi · 02h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Carter Lake and Sunny near Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carter Lake to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 137.9 miles (221.9 km) and usually takes 02h 14m 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?
Brayton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68.8 miles from Carter Lake and 69.1 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 121.5 miles (195.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.4 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 2:02 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.36 one way or $36.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carter Lake and Sunny near Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Brayton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Brayton.
Creston
Omaha
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carter Lake and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 121.48 mi (195.51 km).
#1 Carter Lake
City in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 3,793 |
| Coordinates | 41.2905500, -95.9180700 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| 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: 222 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.36 | $36.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.71 | $41.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.66 | $45.33 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $25.83 | $51.66 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.