How far is Des Moines, IA from Decorah, IA?
The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Decorah, IA is about 202.1 miles (325.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 149.9 miles (241.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 11m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Iowa, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Decorah.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Decorah.
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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
2836 ft · 1 min · East University Avenue
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3
Turn right onto East 14th Street
1908 ft · 58 sec · East 14th Street
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4
Take the ramp left toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet
1.3 km · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
4.8 mi · 6 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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6
Continue straight
101.7 mi · 1 hr 50 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
1 mi · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left
32.9 mi · 38 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 218 Business, CR B35: Charles City
1513 ft · 43 sec
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10
Turn left onto 185th Street
1559 ft · 24 sec · 185th Street
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11
Turn straight onto Gilbert Street
2.5 mi · 5 min · Gilbert Street
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12
Turn left onto Main Street
1198 ft · 39 sec · Main Street
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13
Turn right onto Clark Street
1319 ft · 34 sec · Clark Street
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14
Turn left onto Brantingham Street
759 ft · 24 sec · Brantingham Street
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15
Continue on 4th Avenue
1 km · 2 min · 4th Avenue
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16
Continue on 5th Avenue
1761 ft · 50 sec · 5th Avenue
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17
Continue on 200th Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · 200th Avenue
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18
Continue on 200th Street
11 mi · 15 min · 200th Street
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19
Turn right onto Kenwood Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Kenwood Avenue
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20
At the end of the road, turn left onto 210th Street
1801 ft · 36 sec · 210th Street
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21
Continue on West Main Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · West Main Street
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22
Continue on State Highway 24
20.3 mi · 28 min · State Highway 24
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23
Continue on 1st Street Southeast
1363 ft · 42 sec · 1st Street Southeast
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24
Continue on State Highway 24
2.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 24
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25
Continue on Highway 24
3252 ft · 50 sec · Highway 24
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26
Continue on State Highway 24
3237 ft · 52 sec · State Highway 24
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27
Continue on Charles Street
1751 ft · 40 sec · Charles Street
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28
Turn right onto South Street
1043 ft · 51 sec · South Street
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29
Turn left onto Maryville Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · Maryville Street
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30
Continue straight
7.8 mi · 11 min
-
31
Turn right onto State Highway 9
2175 ft · 39 sec · State Highway 9
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32
Turn left onto Short Street
2219 ft · 1 min · Short Street
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33
Continue on South Mechanic Street
2540 ft · 1 min · South Mechanic Street
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34
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
1323 ft · 32 sec · West Broadway Street
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35
Turn left onto Washington Street
104 m · 17 sec · Washington Street
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36
Turn right onto East Main Street
18 m · 3 sec · East Main Street
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Decorah.
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
Continue straight
102 mi · 01h 50m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Des Moines and Mostly Sunny near Decorah.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Decorah?
The road trip is about 202.1 miles (325.2 km) and usually takes 04h 11m 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?
Swaledale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 101 miles from Des Moines and 101.1 miles from Decorah.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 149.9 miles (241.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.89 one way or $53.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Des Moines and Mostly Sunny near Decorah.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Decorah. Straight-line distance: 149.93 mi (241.29 km).
#1 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Decorah
Town in Iowa
| Population | 7,484 |
| Coordinates | 43.3033100, -91.7857100 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| Country | United States |
End: Decorah (-91.78571, 43.30331)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 325 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.89 | $53.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.32 | $60.65 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.18 | $66.37 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.82 | $75.64 |
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 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.