How far is Des Moines, IA from Granger, IA?
The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Granger, IA is about 21.3 miles (34.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 15.7 miles (25.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 01m 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 30m.
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.
A city in Polk County, Iowa.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Granger.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Granger.
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1
Start on East University Avenue
2887 ft · 1 min · East University Avenue
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2
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
2.5 mi · 5 min · 2nd Avenue
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3
Continue on Northwest 2nd Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Northwest 2nd Street
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4
Turn left onto I 35 South, I 80 West
1949 ft · 48 sec
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5
Merge slight left
7.3 mi · 8 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward IA 141 West: Urbandale, Grimes
2133 ft · 54 sec
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7
Turn right onto Northwest Urbandale Drive
60 m · 3 sec · Northwest Urbandale Drive
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8
Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard
2.6 mi · 4 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
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9
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
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10
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
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11
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
2.8 mi · 4 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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12
Turn right onto Sycamore Street
1377 ft · 40 sec · Sycamore Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Sycamore Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Granger.
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.
I 35 South
Merge slight left
7.26 mi · 00h 08m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Granger.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Granger?
The road trip is about 21.3 miles (34.3 km) and usually takes 00h 30m 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?
Urbandale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.7 miles from Des Moines and 10.7 miles from Granger.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 15.7 miles (25.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.6 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 7:28 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.83 one way or $5.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Granger.
Stop Ideas Near Urbandale
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 Urbandale.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Granger. Straight-line distance: 15.7 mi (25.27 km).
#1 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Granger
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,631 |
| Coordinates | 41.7611000, -93.8243900 |
| Altitude | 271 |
| Country | United States |
End: Granger (-93.82439, 41.7611)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 34 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.83 | $5.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.19 | $6.38 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.49 | $6.98 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.98 | $7.96 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.