How far is Colfax, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Colfax, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 23.9 miles (38.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 19.5 miles (31.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 24m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Polk County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Colfax and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colfax and Des Moines.
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1
Start on East Howard Street
17 m · 4 sec · East Howard Street
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2
Turn right onto North Walnut Street
730 ft · 12 sec · North Walnut Street
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3
Continue on State Highway 117
1.5 km · 1 min · State Highway 117
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4
Take the ramp left
1758 ft · 43 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Grand Army of the Republic Highway
16.9 mi · 19 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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6
Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines
1 km · 1 min
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7
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
1580 ft · 39 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
1740 ft · 45 sec
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10
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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11
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Colfax and Des Moines.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Merge slight left onto Grand Army of the Republic Highway
16.9 mi · 00h 19m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Partly Sunny leaving Colfax and Slight Chance Rain Showers then 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 Colfax to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 23.9 miles (38.5 km) and usually takes 00h 24m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Altoona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.9 miles from Colfax and 12 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 19.5 miles (31.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.21 one way or $6.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Colfax and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Altoona
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 Altoona.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Colfax and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 19.54 mi (31.44 km).
#1 Colfax
City in Jasper County, Iowa
| Population | 2,050 |
| Coordinates | 41.6777700, -93.2452000 |
| Altitude | 244 |
| 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: 39 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.21 | $6.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.62 | $7.23 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.96 | $7.91 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.51 | $9.02 |
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 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.