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

The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Logan, IA is about 125.5 miles (202 km), with a travel time of about 02h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 112.6 miles (181.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 53m 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
125.49 mi
02h 26m
Flight
112.62 mi
181.25 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
112.62 mi
Kilometers
181.25 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
125.49 mi
Kilometers
201.95 km
Drive Time
02h 26m

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 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Logan
Thu, Apr 23, 10:02 AM CDT
Return by in Des Moines
Thu, Apr 23, 12:29 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Des Moines
2026-04-23T07:36
Arrive Logan
Thu, Apr 23, 10:02 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:27 AM to 12:27 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:36 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
Anita
IA

City in Iowa

From Des Moines
62.6 mi
01h 13m
To Logan
62.9 mi
01h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 21 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 21 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East University Avenue

    147 m · 39 sec · East University Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn uturn onto East University Avenue

    530 ft · 18 sec · East University Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue

    876 ft · 18 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on East 6th Street

    788 ft · 18 sec · East 6th Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward I-235 west

    1348 ft · 33 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway

    9 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  7. 7

    Merge slight right

    94.8 mi · 1 hr 42 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux City

    8.8 mi · 9 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward CR L34: Logan, Beebeetown

    1275 ft · 38 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto County Highway L34

    1.2 km · 1 min · County Highway L34

  11. 11

    Continue on Overton Avenue

    10.7 mi · 19 min · Overton Avenue

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road F50

    1227 ft · 28 sec · County Road F50

  13. 13

    Continue on East 7th Street

    1109 ft · 38 sec · East 7th Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East 7th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
John MacVicar Freeway
104 mi · 83%
Overton Avenue
10.7 mi · 9%
I 880 West
8.76 mi · 7%
County Highway L34
0.74 mi · 1%
I-235 west
0.26 mi
CR L34
0.24 mi
Longest Stretch

John MacVicar Freeway

Merge slight right

94.8 mi · 01h 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 26m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.9 mi
112.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Anita
01h 13m from Des Moines
Leave By
1:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Des Moines and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Logan.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 125.5 miles (202 km) and usually takes 02h 26m 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?

Anita is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.6 miles from Des Moines and 62.9 miles from Logan.

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

The direct path is about 112.6 miles (181.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.71 one way or $33.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Des Moines and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Logan.

Stop Ideas Near Anita

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Anita, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Anita.

RAIL

Creston

55 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Osceola

95 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Omaha

99 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Logan. Straight-line distance: 112.62 mi (181.25 km).

Des Moines

#1 Des Moines

The capital of Iowa.

Population212,312
Coordinates41.6005400, -93.6091100
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Logan

City in Iowa, United States

Population1,403
Coordinates41.6430500, -95.7889000
Altitude331
CountryUnited States
Start: Des Moines (-93.60911, 41.60054)
End: Logan (-95.7889, 41.64305)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 202 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.43 gal
16.76 L · about $16.71
Round trip
$33.41
8.86 gal · 33.52 L
Estimated CO2
39.4 kg one way
Round trip: 78.7 kg / 174 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.71 $33.41
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.84 $37.68
Premium $4.65 $20.62 $41.23
Diesel $5.30 $23.50 $46.99

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Des Moines and Logan. The current time is 07:36:09.

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.