How far is Centerville, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Centerville, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 53.6 miles (86.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 37.9 miles (61 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
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 00h 59m.
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.
City in Story County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Centerville and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Centerville and Des Moines.
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1
Start on Leaf Road
1.4 km · 4 min · Leaf Road
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2
Turn left onto 188th Road
1 mi · 2 min · 188th Road
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3
Continue on Mallard Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · Mallard Avenue
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4
Keep slight left to continue on Mallard Avenue
50 m · 3 sec · Mallard Avenue
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5
Continue on West 12th Street
1.6 km · 2 min · West 12th Street
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6
At the end of the road, turn right onto Marion Street
2912 ft · 1 min · Marion Street
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7
Turn left onto West Mamie Eisenhower Avenue
1331 ft · 27 sec · West Mamie Eisenhower Avenue
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8
Continue on West 3rd Street
1356 ft · 27 sec · West 3rd Street
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9
Continue on Mamie Eisenhower Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Mamie Eisenhower Avenue
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10
Turn right onto Corporal Roger Snedden Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · Corporal Roger Snedden Drive
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11
Turn left onto 220th Street
3.8 mi · 5 min · 220th Street
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12
Continue on 230th Street
11 mi · 13 min · 230th Street
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 Business South, I 35 South: Des Moines
24.4 mi · 27 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 235 West: Des Moines
1.4 km · 1 min
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15
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
1580 ft · 39 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
1740 ft · 45 sec
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18
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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19
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Centerville 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 35 Business South
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 Business South, I 35 South: Des Moines
24.4 mi · 00h 27m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Centerville 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 Centerville to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 53.6 miles (86.2 km) and usually takes 00h 59m 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?
Huxley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.7 miles from Centerville and 26.9 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 37.9 miles (61 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.7 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:32 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.44 one way or $14.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Centerville and Mostly Sunny near Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Huxley
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 Huxley.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Centerville and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 37.93 mi (61.05 km).
#1 Centerville
Centerville is a place in Iowa, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 42.0927600, -93.9355100 |
| Altitude | 279 |
| 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: 86 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.94 | $7.44 | $14.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.28 | $8.08 | $16.17 |
| Premium | $4.84 | $9.14 | $18.28 |
| Diesel | $6.01 | $11.36 | $22.72 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
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