How far is Chariton, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Chariton, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 54.6 miles (87.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 43.5 miles (70 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 20m 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 01h 10m.
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 Marion County, Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chariton and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chariton and Des Moines.
-
1
Start on the route
22 m · 7 sec
-
2
Turn right onto South Grand Street
63 m · 11 sec · South Grand Street
-
3
Turn right onto Court Avenue
935 ft · 24 sec · Court Avenue
-
4
Turn left onto North 7th Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · North 7th Street
-
5
Continue on State Highway 14
6.4 mi · 10 min · State Highway 14
-
6
Turn left onto 260th Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · 260th Avenue
-
7
Continue on 50th Place
1.7 mi · 3 min · 50th Place
-
8
Continue on County Highway S45
1.9 mi · 3 min · County Highway S45
-
9
Turn right onto County Highway G76
2679 ft · 59 sec · County Highway G76
-
10
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.3 km · 1 min · South Main Street
-
11
Continue on Northeast Main Street
933 ft · 24 sec · Northeast Main Street
-
12
At the end of the road, turn left onto B Street Northwest
112 m · 10 sec · B Street Northwest
-
13
Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest
141 m · 9 sec · 1st Street Northwest
-
14
Continue on County Road S45
9.2 mi · 16 min · County Road S45
-
15
Continue straight
621 ft · 8 sec
-
16
Continue on State Highway 5
19.2 mi · 23 min · State Highway 5
-
17
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward US 69 North: Des Moines
2559 ft · 1 min
-
19
Turn straight onto Southridge Boulevard
1.4 mi · 2 min · Southridge Boulevard
-
20
Continue on Southeast 14th Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · Southeast 14th Street
-
21
Turn slight left onto Indianola Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Indianola Avenue
-
22
Turn right onto Southeast 6th Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · Southeast 6th Street
-
23
Continue on East 6th Street
1433 ft · 37 sec · East 6th Street
-
24
Turn right onto East Locust Street
150 m · 15 sec · East Locust Street
-
25
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Pennsylvania Avenue
-
26
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
-
27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chariton 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.
State Highway 5
Continue on State Highway 5
19.2 mi · 00h 23m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Chariton and Partly Sunny near Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chariton to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 54.6 miles (87.9 km) and usually takes 01h 10m 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?
Pleasantville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.3 miles from Chariton and 27.3 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 43.5 miles (70 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.1 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 4:10 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.28 one way or $14.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Chariton and Partly Sunny near Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Pleasantville
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 Pleasantville.
Osceola
Ottumwa station
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chariton and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 43.47 mi (69.96 km).
#1 Chariton
City in Lucas County, Iowa
| Population | 4,103 |
| Coordinates | 41.0138900, -93.3066000 |
| Altitude | 313 |
| 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: 88 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 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 | $3.77 | $7.28 | $14.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $8.21 | $16.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $8.98 | $17.96 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $10.24 | $20.47 |
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 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.