How far is Des Moines, IA from De Witt, IA?

The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to De Witt, IA is about 180.8 miles (291 km), with a travel time of about 03h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 159.1 miles (256.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
180.84 mi
03h 23m
Flight
159.13 mi
256.09 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Des Moines.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
159.13 mi
Kilometers
256.09 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
180.84 mi
Kilometers
291.03 km
Drive Time
03h 23m

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 03h 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in De Witt
Thu, Apr 23, 12:47 AM CDT
Return by in Des Moines
Thu, Apr 23, 4:11 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Des Moines
2026-04-22T21:24
Arrive De Witt
Thu, Apr 23, 12:47 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:24 AM to 11:24 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:12 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Des Moines
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Williamsburg
IA

City in Iowa

From Des Moines
90.2 mi
01h 41m
To De Witt
90.6 mi
01h 41m

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
78°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and De Witt.

  1. 1

    Start on East University Avenue

    147 m · 39 sec · East University Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn uturn onto East University Avenue

    2836 ft · 1 min · East University Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East 14th Street

    1908 ft · 58 sec · East 14th Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet

    1.3 km · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway

    3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport

    1476 ft · 36 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Davenport

    1628 ft · 40 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    157.4 mi · 2 hr 51 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 61 North: Eldridge, DeWitt

    1744 ft · 42 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto North Brady Street

    14.5 mi · 17 min · North Brady Street

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right

    2991 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    1.2 km · 53 sec

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right

    1717 ft · 49 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto South 6th Avenue

    1.2 mi · 3 min · South 6th Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 8th Street

    66 m · 7 sec · 8th Street

  16. 16

    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 De Witt.

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
16 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
158 mi · 87%
North Brady Street
16.2 mi · 9%
John MacVicar Freeway
3.28 mi · 2%
South 6th Avenue
1.19 mi · 1%
US 69
0.81 mi
East University Avenue
0.63 mi
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight left

157 mi · 02h 51m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 23m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.7 mi
159.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Williamsburg
01h 41m from Des Moines
Leave By
10:12 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Des Moines and Sunny near De Witt.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to De Witt?

The road trip is about 180.8 miles (291 km) and usually takes 03h 23m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Williamsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.2 miles from Des Moines and 90.6 miles from De Witt.

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

The direct path is about 159.1 miles (256.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:12 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.06 one way or $48.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Williamsburg

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

79 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

86 mi away
418 North Adams Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and De Witt. Straight-line distance: 159.13 mi (256.09 km).

Des Moines

#1 Des Moines

The capital of Iowa.

Population212,312
Coordinates41.6005400, -93.6091100
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
De Witt

#2 De Witt

Township of Iowa

Population5,242
Coordinates41.8233600, -90.5381900
Altitude216
CountryUnited States
Start: Des Moines (-93.60911, 41.60054)
End: De Witt (-90.53819, 41.82336)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 291 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 00m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.38 gal
24.16 L · about $24.06
Round trip
$48.12
12.76 gal · 48.32 L
Estimated CO2
56.7 kg one way
Round trip: 113.4 kg / 250 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $24.06 $48.12
Mid-grade $4.25 $27.13 $54.27
Premium $4.65 $29.69 $59.39
Diesel $5.30 $33.84 $67.68

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 De Witt. The current time is 21:24:11.

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.