How far is Des Moines, IA from Corning, IA?

The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Corning, IA is about 98.7 miles (158.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 72.3 miles (116.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
98.66 mi
02h 05m
Flight
72.32 mi
116.39 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Des Moines.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
72.32 mi
Kilometers
116.39 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
98.66 mi
Kilometers
158.78 km
Drive Time
02h 05m

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 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Corning
Thu, Apr 23, 1:12 AM CDT
Return by in Des Moines
Thu, Apr 23, 3:18 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Des Moines
2026-04-22T23:07
Arrive Corning
Thu, Apr 23, 1:12 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:06 AM to 12:06 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:18 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Des Moines
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Casey
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Des Moines
49.3 mi
01h 02m
To Corning
49.4 mi
01h 02m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 13 mph S
Destination
79°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 18 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Corning.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Corning.

  1. 1

    Start on East University Avenue

    147 m · 39 sec · East University Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn uturn onto East University Avenue

    530 ft · 18 sec · East University Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue

    876 ft · 18 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on East 6th Street

    788 ft · 18 sec · East 6th Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward I-235 west

    1348 ft · 33 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway

    9 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  7. 7

    Merge slight right

    52 mi · 56 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 148 South: Anita, Corning

    1360 ft · 33 sec

  9. 9

    Turn sharp left onto 750th Street

    3.1 mi · 5 min · 750th Street

  10. 10

    Continue on State Highway 148

    2154 ft · 37 sec · State Highway 148

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Main Street

    1431 ft · 24 sec · Main Street

  12. 12

    Continue on 2nd Street

    119 m · 12 sec · 2nd Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Michigan Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Michigan Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on 750th Street

    19.2 mi · 29 min · 750th Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Ironwood Avenue

    8.1 mi · 12 min · Ironwood Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on State Highway 148

    3.2 mi · 5 min · State Highway 148

  17. 17

    Continue on Quincy Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Quincy Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto 8th Street

    2468 ft · 2 min · 8th Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 8th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Corning.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
John MacVicar Freeway
61 mi · 62%
750th Street
22.3 mi · 23%
Ironwood Avenue
8.13 mi · 8%
State Highway 148
3.62 mi · 4%
Quincy Street
1.02 mi · 1%
Michigan Avenue
0.68 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

John MacVicar Freeway

Merge slight right

52 mi · 00h 56m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 05m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.4 mi
72.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Casey
01h 02m from Des Moines
Leave By
2:18 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Des Moines and Sunny near Corning.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Corning?

The road trip is about 98.7 miles (158.8 km) and usually takes 02h 05m 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?

Casey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.3 miles from Des Moines and 49.4 miles from Corning.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 72.3 miles (116.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.4 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 2:18 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.12 one way or $26.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Des Moines and Sunny near Corning.

Stop Ideas Near Casey

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Casey, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Casey.

RAIL

Creston

52 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Osceola

82 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Corning. Straight-line distance: 72.32 mi (116.39 km).

Des Moines

#1 Des Moines

The capital of Iowa.

Population212,312
Coordinates41.6005400, -93.6091100
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Corning

#2 Corning

City in Adams County, Iowa, United States

Population1,424
Coordinates40.9899900, -94.7408100
Altitude364
CountryUnited States
Start: Des Moines (-93.60911, 41.60054)
End: Corning (-94.74081, 40.98999)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 159 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.48 gal
13.18 L · about $13.12
Round trip
$26.25
6.96 gal · 26.36 L
Estimated CO2
30.9 kg one way
Round trip: 61.9 kg / 136 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.12 $26.25
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.80 $29.60
Premium $4.65 $16.20 $32.39
Diesel $5.30 $18.46 $36.92

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Des Moines and Corning. The current time is 23:07:09.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.