How far is Des Moines, IA from Monticello, IA?
The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Monticello, IA is about 153.6 miles (247.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 132.1 miles (212.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 14m 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 07m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Tama County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Monticello.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Monticello.
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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
2836 ft · 1 min · East University Avenue
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3
Turn right onto East 14th Street
1908 ft · 58 sec · East 14th Street
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4
Take the ramp left toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet
1.3 km · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
1476 ft · 36 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
1628 ft · 40 sec
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8
Merge slight left
3.4 mi · 4 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
2428 ft · 1 min
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10
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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11
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
33.5 mi · 39 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
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12
Take the exit right
2792 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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14
Continue on 73rd Street
26.8 mi · 31 min · 73rd Street
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15
Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
1.6 km · 2 min
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16
Continue straight
9.4 mi · 11 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Collins Road Northeast
5.9 mi · 8 min · Collins Road Northeast
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18
Turn left
1.1 mi · 2 min
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19
Turn right onto Marion Airport Road
24.1 mi · 28 min · Marion Airport Road
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20
Continue on 200th Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · 200th Avenue
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21
Take the exit slight right
1764 ft · 49 sec
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22
Turn left onto Amber Road
2018 ft · 40 sec · Amber Road
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23
Continue on South Main Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
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24
Turn left onto East 1st Street
846 ft · 16 sec · East 1st Street
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25
Turn right onto North Maple Street
22 m · 3 sec · North Maple Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Maple Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Monticello.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Lincoln Highway
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 00h 43m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Monticello.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Monticello?
The road trip is about 153.6 miles (247.2 km) and usually takes 03h 07m 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?
Vining is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.7 miles from Des Moines and 76.9 miles from Monticello.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 132.1 miles (212.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.5 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 10:46 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.44 one way or $40.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Monticello.
Stop Ideas Near Vining
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 Vining.
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Monticello. Straight-line distance: 132.08 mi (212.56 km).
#1 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Monticello
City in Jones County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 3,873 |
| Coordinates | 42.2383400, -91.1870900 |
| Altitude | 251 |
| Country | United States |
End: Monticello (-91.18709, 42.23834)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 247 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.44 | $40.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.05 | $46.10 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.22 | $50.45 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $28.75 | $57.50 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.