How far is Des Moines, IA from Carroll, IA?
The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Carroll, IA is about 89 miles (143.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 72.3 miles (116.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 09m 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 04m.
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.
Human settlement in Greene County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Carroll.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Carroll.
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1
Start on East University Avenue
2887 ft · 1 min · East University Avenue
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2
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
2.5 mi · 5 min · 2nd Avenue
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3
Continue on Northwest 2nd Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Northwest 2nd Street
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4
Turn left onto I 35 South, I 80 West
1949 ft · 48 sec
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5
Merge slight left
7.3 mi · 8 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward IA 141 West: Urbandale, Grimes
2133 ft · 54 sec
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7
Turn right onto Northwest Urbandale Drive
60 m · 3 sec · Northwest Urbandale Drive
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8
Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard
2.6 mi · 4 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
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9
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
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10
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
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11
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 19 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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12
Take the exit straight toward US 169: Ogden, Adel
1910 ft · 55 sec
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13
Turn right onto N Avenue
1.8 mi · 2 min · N Avenue
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14
Continue on H Avenue
2650 ft · 46 sec · H Avenue
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15
Turn left onto 335th Street
3.1 mi · 4 min · 335th Street
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16
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Avenue
143 m · 13 sec · East Avenue
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17
Continue on 335th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 335th Street
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18
Turn right onto D Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · D Avenue
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19
Turn straight onto 325th Street
2.5 mi · 3 min · 325th Street
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20
Turn straight onto Apple Road
1.1 mi · 1 min · Apple Road
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21
Continue on 144 Diagonal
6.9 mi · 10 min · 144 Diagonal
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22
Continue on U Avenue
3.3 mi · 5 min · U Avenue
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23
Continue on West Main Street
1844 ft · 58 sec · West Main Street
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24
Turn left onto South 9th Street
151 m · 16 sec · South 9th Street
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25
Continue on 9th N Street
1005 ft · 33 sec · 9th N Street
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26
Turn left onto 220th Street
20.5 mi · 28 min · 220th Street
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27
Continue on County Road N33
10.3 mi · 14 min · County Road N33
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28
Continue on US 30
2.3 mi · 4 min · US 30
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29
Turn right
23 m · 11 sec
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30
Turn left
39 m · 10 sec
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Carroll.
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.
220th Street
Turn left onto 220th Street
20.5 mi · 00h 28m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Carroll.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Carroll?
The road trip is about 89 miles (143.3 km) and usually takes 02h 04m 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?
Rippey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44.5 miles from Des Moines and 44.6 miles from Carroll.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 72.3 miles (116.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.7 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:20 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.84 one way or $23.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Carroll.
Stop Ideas Near Rippey
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 Rippey.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Carroll. Straight-line distance: 72.29 mi (116.34 km).
#1 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carroll
City in Carroll County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 9,694 |
| Coordinates | 42.0658200, -94.8669300 |
| Altitude | 387 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carroll (-94.86693, 42.06582)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 143 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.84 | $23.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $13.35 | $26.71 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $14.61 | $29.23 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $16.65 | $33.31 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.