How far is Des Moines, IA from Metropolis, IL?
The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Metropolis, IL is about 513.7 miles (826.8 km), with a travel time of about 10h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 402.8 miles (648.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 20h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 10h 01m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Missouri
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Metropolis.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Metropolis.
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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
9.1 mi · 16 min · East University Avenue
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3
Continue on Northeast University Avenue
1.8 mi · 2 min · Northeast University Avenue
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4
Continue on East University Avenue
125.4 mi · 2 hr 25 min · East University Avenue
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5
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
88.7 mi · 1 hr 43 min · Avenue of the Saints
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6
Continue on Avenue of the Saints
3.9 mi · 5 min · Avenue of the Saints
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7
Turn right
1.7 mi · 2 min
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8
Turn right onto Veterans Road
3.2 mi · 6 min · Veterans Road
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9
At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road 422
85 m · 7 sec · County Road 422
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10
Continue on Paris Gravel Road
2539 ft · 1 min · Paris Gravel Road
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11
Take the ramp right
37 m · 3 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
101.3 mi · 2 hr 1 min · Avenue of the Saints
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13
Continue on Daniel Boone Expressway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Daniel Boone Expressway
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14
Continue on Jack Buck Memorial Highway
7 mi · 9 min · Jack Buck Memorial Highway
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15
Continue on Congressman William L. Clay Sr. Bridge
2220 ft · 38 sec · Congressman William L. Clay Sr. Bridge
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 64 East, US 40 East: Chicago, Loiusville, Indianapolis
2.3 mi · 3 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 East, IL 3 North: Louisville
75.1 mi · 1 hr 23 min
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
47.2 mi · 51 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 East: Nashville
1.4 mi · 1 min
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20
Continue straight
35.6 mi · 38 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward US 45: Metropolis, Brookport, Rest Area, Welcome Center
1848 ft · 40 sec
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22
Turn right onto United States Route 45
1.6 mi · 3 min · United States Route 45
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23
Turn right onto East 12th Street
1.5 km · 2 min · East 12th Street
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24
Turn left onto Ferry Street
2746 ft · 1 min · Ferry Street
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25
Turn right onto West 5th Street
14 m · 1 sec · West 5th Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Metropolis.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
East University Avenue
Continue on East University Avenue
125 mi · 02h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Des Moines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Metropolis.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Metropolis?
The road trip is about 513.7 miles (826.8 km) and usually takes 10h 01m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bowling Green is a useful midpoint, sitting about 256.4 miles from Des Moines and 257.3 miles from Metropolis.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 402.8 miles (648.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 110.9 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $76.24 one way or $152.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 161.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Des Moines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Metropolis.
Stop Ideas Near Bowling Green
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 Bowling Green.
Quincy
Hermann
Washington
Alton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Metropolis. Straight-line distance: 402.79 mi (648.23 km).
#1 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Metropolis
Very large and significant city or urban area usually with millions of inhabitants
| Population | 5,885 |
| Coordinates | 37.1511700, -88.7320000 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| Country | United States |
End: Metropolis (-88.732, 37.15117)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 827 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 17h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 12h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 10h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.21 | $76.24 | $152.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.47 | $81.11 | $162.23 |
| Premium | $5.10 | $92.48 | $184.96 |
| Diesel | $6.07 | $110.07 | $220.13 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026