How far is Des Moines, IA from Fayette, IA?
The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Fayette, IA is about 161.2 miles (259.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 126.1 miles (203 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 15m 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 03h 37m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Fayette.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Fayette.
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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
3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
1476 ft · 36 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
1628 ft · 40 sec
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8
Merge slight left
3.4 mi · 4 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
2428 ft · 1 min
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10
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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11
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
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12
Turn left onto Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
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13
Continue on South Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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14
Continue on 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
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15
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
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16
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
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17
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
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18
Continue on County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
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19
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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20
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
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21
Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
2388 ft · 58 sec
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22
Merge slight left
11.2 mi · 13 min
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
2133 ft · 1 min
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24
Turn left onto Grundy Road
1.6 km · 1 min · Grundy Road
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25
Continue on University Avenue
3.5 mi · 5 min · University Avenue
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26
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Greenhill Road
2 m · 1 sec · Greenhill Road
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27
Exit the roundabout onto Greenhill Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Greenhill Road
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28
Turn left onto Avenue of the Saints
2.7 mi · 4 min · Avenue of the Saints
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29
Take the exit slight right toward US 218 South: Waterloo
1.4 km · 2 min
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30
Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway
1.1 km · 48 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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31
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway Street: Airport
2340 ft · 1 min
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32
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
1496 ft · 36 sec · Airport Boulevard
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33
Turn right onto West Airline Highway
3 mi · 5 min · West Airline Highway
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34
Turn left onto Logan Avenue
6.9 mi · 8 min · Logan Avenue
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35
Continue on Larrabee Avenue
4.8 mi · 6 min · Larrabee Avenue
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36
Take the exit slight right
1998 ft · 56 sec
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37
Turn right onto 230th Street
12.9 mi · 18 min · 230th Street
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38
Continue on 60th Street
9 mi · 12 min · 60th Street
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39
Turn straight onto P Avenue
4 mi · 6 min · P Avenue
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40
Turn right onto Main Street West
1.8 mi · 3 min · Main Street West
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41
Continue on 100th Street
3.2 mi · 5 min · 100th Street
-
42
Turn left onto K Avenue
3.8 mi · 5 min · K Avenue
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43
Turn right onto Klock Road
2235 ft · 45 sec · Klock Road
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44
Continue on Washington Street
1492 ft · 35 sec · Washington Street
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45
Turn left onto East 7th Street
97 m · 8 sec · East 7th Street
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46
Turn right onto South Main Street
1843 ft · 37 sec · South Main Street
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47
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Fayette.
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.
Northeast Hubbell Road
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 00h 42m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Des Moines and Partly Sunny near Fayette.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Fayette?
The road trip is about 161.2 miles (259.4 km) and usually takes 03h 37m 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?
Grundy Center is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.5 miles from Des Moines and 80.7 miles from Fayette.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 126.1 miles (203 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.1 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 9:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.46 one way or $42.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Des Moines and Partly Sunny near Fayette.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Fayette. Straight-line distance: 126.11 mi (202.96 km).
#1 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fayette
City in and county seat of Fayette County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 1,378 |
| Coordinates | 42.8419300, -91.8021100 |
| Altitude | 307 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fayette (-91.80211, 42.84193)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 259 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.46 | $42.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.20 | $48.40 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.48 | $52.96 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.18 | $60.36 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.