How far is Des Moines, IA from Harlan, IA?
The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Harlan, IA is about 103.1 miles (166 km), with a travel time of about 01h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 88.7 miles (142.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 58m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Harlan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Harlan.
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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
82 mi · 1 hr 28 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 59: Avoca, Harlan
1681 ft · 33 sec
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9
Turn right
8.2 mi · 11 min
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10
Turn right onto 800th Street
1965 ft · 39 sec · 800th Street
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11
Continue on Linden Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Linden Road
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12
Continue on 12th Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · 12th Street
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13
Turn left onto Willow Street
17 m · 2 sec · Willow Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Willow Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Harlan.
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
Merge slight right
82 mi · 01h 28m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Des Moines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Harlan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Harlan?
The road trip is about 103.1 miles (166 km) and usually takes 01h 58m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Casey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.4 miles from Des Moines and 51.7 miles from Harlan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 88.7 miles (142.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:32 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.73 one way or $27.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Des Moines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Harlan.
Stop Ideas Near Casey
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 Casey.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Harlan. Straight-line distance: 88.72 mi (142.78 km).
#1 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Harlan
City in Iowa, USA
| Population | 4,795 |
| Coordinates | 41.6530400, -95.3255500 |
| Altitude | 382 |
| Country | United States |
End: Harlan (-95.32555, 41.65304)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 166 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $13.73 | $27.45 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $15.48 | $30.96 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $16.94 | $33.88 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $19.31 | $38.61 |
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.