How far is Des Moines, IA from Jesup, IA?

The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Jesup, IA is about 126.8 miles (204.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 43m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 99.7 miles (160.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
126.83 mi
02h 43m
Flight
99.71 mi
160.47 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Des Moines.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
99.71 mi
Kilometers
160.47 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
126.83 mi
Kilometers
204.11 km
Drive Time
02h 43m

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 02h 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Jesup
Fri, May 1, 2:47 PM CDT
Return by in Des Moines
Fri, May 1, 5:31 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Des Moines
2026-05-01T12:03
Arrive Jesup
Fri, May 1, 2:47 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:44 AM to 12:44 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:02 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Des Moines
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Conrad
IA

City in Grundy County, Iowa, United States

From Des Moines
63.4 mi
01h 21m
To Jesup
63.5 mi
01h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Friday

Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph NNW
Destination
55°F
Friday

Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Jesup.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Jesup.

  1. 1

    Start on East University Avenue

    147 m · 39 sec · East University Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn uturn onto East University Avenue

    2836 ft · 1 min · East University Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East 14th Street

    1908 ft · 58 sec · East 14th Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet

    1.3 km · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway

    3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport

    1476 ft · 36 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Davenport

    1628 ft · 40 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    3.4 mi · 4 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant

    2428 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road

    35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Marsh Avenue

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on South Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  14. 14

    Continue on 160th Street

    4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Sanford Avenue

    15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 240th Street

    6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto M Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue

  18. 18

    Continue on County Road T37

    1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37

  19. 19

    Turn sharp right onto 210th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto N Avenue

    4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue

  21. 21

    Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo

    2388 ft · 58 sec

  22. 22

    Merge slight left

    29.1 mi · 34 min

  23. 23

    Keep slight left

    7 mi · 8 min

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right

    2151 ft · 59 sec

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Benson Shady Grove Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Benson Shady Grove Avenue

  26. 26

    At the end of the road, turn left onto South Street

    1998 ft · 42 sec · South Street

  27. 27

    Turn right onto 6th Street

    2671 ft · 1 min · 6th Street

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 6th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Jesup.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
28 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 20 East
36.9 mi · 29%
Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 28%
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 13%
240th Street
6.28 mi · 5%
Marsh Avenue
5.95 mi · 5%
N Avenue
4.39 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 43m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.1 mi
99.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Conrad
01h 21m from Des Moines
Leave By
1:02 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny leaving Des Moines and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Jesup.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Jesup?

The road trip is about 126.8 miles (204.1 km) and usually takes 02h 43m 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?

Conrad is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63.4 miles from Des Moines and 63.5 miles from Jesup.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 99.7 miles (160.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:02 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.89 one way or $33.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny around Des Moines and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Jesup.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Jesup. Straight-line distance: 99.71 mi (160.47 km).

Des Moines

#1 Des Moines

The capital of Iowa.

Population212,312
Coordinates41.6005400, -93.6091100
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Jesup

#2 Jesup

City in the United States

Population2,711
Coordinates42.4755400, -92.0637900
Altitude300
CountryUnited States
Start: Des Moines (-93.60911, 41.60054)
End: Jesup (-92.06379, 42.47554)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 204 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.48 gal
16.94 L · about $16.89
Round trip
$33.79
8.96 gal · 33.88 L
Estimated CO2
39.8 kg one way
Round trip: 79.6 kg / 175 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.89 $33.79
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.05 $38.11
Premium $4.65 $20.85 $41.70
Diesel $5.30 $23.76 $47.52

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 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Des Moines and Jesup. The current time is 12:03:57.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.