How far is Des Moines, IA from Mapleton, IA?
The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Mapleton, IA is about 155.4 miles (250.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 118.9 miles (191.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 11m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Cass County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Mapleton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Mapleton.
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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
10.2 mi · 14 min
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10
Turn left onto Chatburn Avenue
1502 ft · 26 sec · Chatburn Avenue
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11
Continue on 1000th Street
4 mi · 6 min · 1000th Street
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12
Turn right onto M16 Road
8.8 mi · 12 min · M16 Road
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto Railway Street
137 m · 9 sec · Railway Street
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14
Continue on State Highway 37
11.8 mi · 16 min · State Highway 37
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15
Continue on Ia 37
683 ft · 11 sec · Ia 37
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16
Continue on Iowa Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · Iowa Avenue
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17
Turn right onto North 6th Street
1242 ft · 41 sec · North 6th Street
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18
Turn left onto IA 37
1 km · 1 min · IA 37
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19
Continue on State Highway 37
14 mi · 19 min · State Highway 37
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20
Turn right onto County Highway L32
11.2 mi · 15 min · County Highway L32
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
2539 ft · 41 sec · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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22
Continue on South 4th Street
3081 ft · 1 min · South 4th Street
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23
Turn right onto Main Street
14 m · 2 sec · Main Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Mapleton.
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 longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Des Moines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Mapleton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Mapleton?
The road trip is about 155.4 miles (250.1 km) and usually takes 03h 11m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Marne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.5 miles from Des Moines and 77.8 miles from Mapleton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 118.9 miles (191.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.67 one way or $41.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Des Moines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Mapleton.
Stop Ideas Near Marne
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 Marne.
Omaha
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Mapleton. Straight-line distance: 118.94 mi (191.41 km).
#1 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Mapleton
City in Monona County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,147 |
| Coordinates | 42.1658200, -95.7930600 |
| Altitude | 347 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mapleton (-95.79306, 42.16582)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 250 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.67 | $41.33 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.31 | $46.61 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.50 | $51.01 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.07 | $58.13 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.