How far is Des Moines, IA from Chariton, IA?
The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Chariton, IA is about 55.1 miles (88.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 43.5 miles (70 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 48m 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 24m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Marion County, Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Chariton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Chariton.
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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
19 mi · 23 min
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12
Continue on County Road S45
3.7 mi · 7 min · County Road S45
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13
Keep slight left to continue on County Road S45
5.5 mi · 10 min · County Road S45
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14
Continue on 1st Street Northwest
141 m · 15 sec · 1st Street Northwest
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15
Turn left onto B Street Northwest
112 m · 10 sec · B Street Northwest
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16
Turn right onto Northeast Main Street
933 ft · 19 sec · Northeast Main Street
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17
Continue on South Main Street
1.3 km · 1 min · South Main Street
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18
At the end of the road, turn right onto County Highway G76
2679 ft · 59 sec · County Highway G76
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19
Turn left onto County Highway S45
1.9 mi · 3 min · County Highway S45
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20
Continue on 50th Place
1.7 mi · 3 min · 50th Place
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21
Continue on 260th Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · 260th Avenue
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22
Turn right onto State Highway 14
6.4 mi · 10 min · State Highway 14
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23
Continue on North 7th Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · North 7th Street
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24
Turn right onto Court Avenue
935 ft · 24 sec · Court Avenue
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25
Turn left onto South Grand Street
63 m · 14 sec · South Grand Street
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26
Turn left
22 m · 5 sec
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Chariton.
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
19 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.
Partly Sunny leaving Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Chariton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Chariton?
The road trip is about 55.1 miles (88.6 km) and usually takes 01h 24m 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 27.5 miles from Des Moines and 27.5 miles from Chariton.
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 11.6 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 3:42 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.32 one way or $14.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Chariton.
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 Des Moines and Chariton. Straight-line distance: 43.47 mi (69.96 km).
#1 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chariton
City in Lucas County, Iowa
| Population | 4,103 |
| Coordinates | 41.0138900, -93.3066000 |
| Altitude | 313 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chariton (-93.3066, 41.01389)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 89 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $7.32 | $14.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $8.25 | $16.50 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $9.03 | $18.06 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $10.29 | $20.58 |
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.