How far is Des Moines, IA from Earlham, IA?
The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Earlham, IA is about 30.2 miles (48.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 27.7 miles (44.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 38m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Earlham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Earlham.
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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
18.2 mi · 20 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CR P57: Earlham
1519 ft · 43 sec
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9
Turn left onto I Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · I Avenue
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10
Continue on County Road P57
1570 ft · 31 sec · County Road P57
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11
Continue on North Chestnut Avenue
2281 ft · 1 min · North Chestnut Avenue
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12
Turn right onto Northwest 2nd Street
118 m · 22 sec · Northwest 2nd Street
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13
Turn left onto Northwest Locust Avenue
73 m · 11 sec · Northwest Locust Avenue
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Northwest Locust Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Earlham.
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.
John MacVicar Freeway
Merge slight right
18.2 mi · 00h 20m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Des Moines and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Earlham.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Earlham?
The road trip is about 30.2 miles (48.6 km) and usually takes 00h 38m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Waukee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.1 miles from Des Moines and 15.2 miles from Earlham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 27.7 miles (44.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:14 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.03 one way or $8.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Des Moines and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Earlham.
Stop Ideas Near Waukee
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 Waukee.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Earlham. Straight-line distance: 27.67 mi (44.53 km).
#1 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
End: Earlham (-94.12412, 41.49193)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 49 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.03 | $8.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.55 | $9.10 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.98 | $9.96 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.68 | $11.35 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.