How far is Des Moines, IA from Anamosa, IA?
The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Anamosa, IA is about 142 miles (228.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 124.6 miles (200.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 49m 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 54m.
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 Tokyo, Japan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Anamosa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Anamosa.
-
1
Start on East University Avenue
147 m · 39 sec · East University Avenue
-
2
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
2836 ft · 1 min · East University Avenue
-
3
Turn right onto East 14th Street
1908 ft · 58 sec · East 14th Street
-
4
Take the ramp left toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet
1.3 km · 1 min
-
5
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
1476 ft · 36 sec
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
1628 ft · 40 sec
-
8
Merge slight left
3.4 mi · 4 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
2428 ft · 1 min
-
10
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
-
11
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
33.5 mi · 39 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
-
12
Take the exit right
2792 ft · 1 min
-
13
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
-
14
Continue on 73rd Street
26.8 mi · 31 min · 73rd Street
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
1.6 km · 2 min
-
16
Continue straight
9.4 mi · 11 min
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on Collins Road Northeast
5.9 mi · 8 min · Collins Road Northeast
-
18
Turn left
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
19
Turn right onto Marion Airport Road
11.4 mi · 13 min · Marion Airport Road
-
20
Take the exit slight right
2012 ft · 57 sec
-
21
At the end of the road, turn right onto State Highway 1
1104 ft · 17 sec · State Highway 1
-
22
Continue on County Road E34
3.2 mi · 6 min · County Road E34
-
23
Continue on Elm Street
1472 ft · 30 sec · Elm Street
-
24
Turn left onto Cemetery Road
12 m · 3 sec · Cemetery Road
-
25
Turn right onto South Elm Street
1484 ft · 30 sec · South Elm Street
-
26
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Main Street
1913 ft · 42 sec · West Main Street
-
27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Anamosa.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Lincoln Highway
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 00h 43m
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 Des Moines and Sunny near Anamosa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Anamosa?
The road trip is about 142 miles (228.6 km) and usually takes 02h 54m 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?
Tama is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.9 miles from Des Moines and 71.1 miles from Anamosa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 124.6 miles (200.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.4 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 12:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.89 one way or $37.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Des Moines and Sunny near Anamosa.
Stop Ideas Near Tama
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 Tama.
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Anamosa. Straight-line distance: 124.63 mi (200.58 km).
#1 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Anamosa
City in Jones County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 5,545 |
| Coordinates | 42.1083400, -91.2851600 |
| Altitude | 253 |
| Country | United States |
End: Anamosa (-91.28516, 42.10834)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 229 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.89 | $37.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.31 | $42.62 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.32 | $46.63 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $26.57 | $53.15 |
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 20, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.