How far is Des Moines, IA from Hartford, IA?
The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Hartford, IA is about 18.3 miles (29.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 14.4 miles (23.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 57m 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 28m.
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 Warren and Polk counties in the U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Hartford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Hartford.
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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
1.4 km · 2 min · East 6th Street
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5
Continue on Southeast 6th Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · Southeast 6th Street
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6
Turn left onto Indianola Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Indianola Avenue
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7
Turn slight right onto Southeast 14th Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · Southeast 14th Street
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8
Continue on Southridge Boulevard
1.6 mi · 2 min · Southridge Boulevard
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9
Take the ramp slight right
1680 ft · 41 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
2.2 mi · 2 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
7.6 mi · 10 min
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12
Turn right onto North Vine Street
2238 ft · 1 min · North Vine Street
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13
Turn right onto West Elm Street
539 ft · 24 sec · West Elm Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Elm Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Hartford.
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.
IA 5 South
Take the exit slight right toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
7.58 mi · 00h 10m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Des Moines and Cloudy near Hartford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Hartford?
The road trip is about 18.3 miles (29.4 km) and usually takes 00h 28m 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?
Carlisle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.1 miles from Des Moines and 9.1 miles from Hartford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 14.4 miles (23.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.9 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 7:32 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.69 one way or $5.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Des Moines and Cloudy near Hartford.
Stop Ideas Near Carlisle
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 Carlisle.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Hartford. Straight-line distance: 14.37 mi (23.13 km).
#1 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Hartford
City in Iowa
| Population | 780 |
| Coordinates | 41.4594400, -93.4049300 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| Country | United States |
End: Hartford (-93.40493, 41.45944)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 29 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.21 | $2.69 | $5.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.47 | $2.86 | $5.73 |
| Premium | $5.10 | $3.26 | $6.53 |
| Diesel | $6.07 | $3.89 | $7.77 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026