How far is Des Moines, IA from Clarinda, IA?
The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Clarinda, IA is about 128.4 miles (206.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 95.2 miles (153.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 18m 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 39m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Clarinda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Clarinda.
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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
788 ft · 18 sec · East 6th Street
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5
Take the ramp right toward I-235 west
1348 ft · 33 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
9 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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7
Merge slight right
61.6 mi · 1 hr 6 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 6, US 71: Atlantic, Audubon
1922 ft · 49 sec
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9
Turn left onto 650th Street
6.5 mi · 9 min · 650th Street
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10
Turn right onto East 7th Street
2 mi · 3 min · East 7th Street
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11
Turn left onto Whitney Street
1.7 mi · 2 min · Whitney Street
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12
Continue on 630th Street
44.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min · 630th Street
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13
Turn right onto 210 Street
1.5 km · 2 min · 210 Street
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14
Continue on East Washington Street
1.3 km · 1 min · East Washington Street
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15
Turn right onto North 16th Street
59 m · 9 sec · North 16th Street
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16
Turn left
11 m · 3 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Clarinda.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
John MacVicar Freeway
Merge slight right
61.6 mi · 01h 06m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Des Moines and Partly Cloudy near Clarinda.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Clarinda?
The road trip is about 128.4 miles (206.6 km) and usually takes 02h 39m 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?
Anita is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.1 miles from Des Moines and 64.2 miles from Clarinda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 95.2 miles (153.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.2 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 1:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.08 one way or $34.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Des Moines and Partly Cloudy near Clarinda.
Stop Ideas Near Anita
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 Anita.
Creston
Osceola
Omaha
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Clarinda. Straight-line distance: 95.18 mi (153.18 km).
#1 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Clarinda
City in Iowa
| Population | 5,366 |
| Coordinates | 40.7398100, -95.0380000 |
| Altitude | 318 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clarinda (-95.038, 40.73981)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 207 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.08 | $34.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.27 | $38.53 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.08 | $42.17 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $24.03 | $48.05 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.