How far is Des Moines, IA from Carlisle, IA?
The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Carlisle, IA is about 12.9 miles (20.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 9.2 miles (14.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 45m 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 22m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Warren County and Polk County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Carlisle.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Carlisle.
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1
Start on East University Avenue
147 m · 39 sec · East University Avenue
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2
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
530 ft · 18 sec · East University Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
876 ft · 18 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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4
Continue on East 6th Street
1.4 km · 2 min · East 6th Street
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5
Continue on Southeast 6th Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · Southeast 6th Street
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6
Turn left onto Indianola Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Indianola Avenue
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7
Turn slight right onto Southeast 14th Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · Southeast 14th Street
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8
Continue on Southridge Boulevard
1.6 mi · 2 min · Southridge Boulevard
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9
Take the ramp slight right
1680 ft · 41 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
2.2 mi · 2 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
2.4 mi · 4 min
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12
Turn left onto South 5th Street
1723 ft · 1 min · South 5th Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Carlisle.
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.
IA 5 South
Take the exit slight right toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
2.42 mi · 00h 04m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Des Moines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carlisle.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Carlisle?
The road trip is about 12.9 miles (20.8 km) and usually takes 00h 22m 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?
Norwalk is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.5 miles from Des Moines and 6.5 miles from Carlisle.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 9.2 miles (14.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:44 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.70 one way or $3.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Des Moines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carlisle.
Stop Ideas Near Norwalk
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 Norwalk.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Carlisle. Straight-line distance: 9.2 mi (14.81 km).
#1 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carlisle
City in Warren and Polk counties in the U.
| Population | 4,323 |
| Coordinates | 41.5008200, -93.4910500 |
| Altitude | 260 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carlisle (-93.49105, 41.50082)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 21 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $1.70 | $3.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $1.91 | $3.83 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.09 | $4.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $2.39 | $4.77 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.