How far is Des Moines, IA from Oelwein, IA?
The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Oelwein, IA is about 149.3 miles (240.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 114.2 miles (183.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 28m 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 14m.
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.
City in Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Oelwein.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Oelwein.
-
1
Start on East University Avenue
147 m · 39 sec · East University Avenue
-
2
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
2836 ft · 1 min · East University Avenue
-
3
Turn right onto East 14th Street
1908 ft · 58 sec · East 14th Street
-
4
Take the ramp left toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet
1.3 km · 1 min
-
5
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
1476 ft · 36 sec
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
1628 ft · 40 sec
-
8
Merge slight left
3.4 mi · 4 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
2428 ft · 1 min
-
10
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
-
11
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
-
12
Turn left onto Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
-
13
Continue on South Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
-
14
Continue on 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
-
15
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
-
16
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
-
17
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
-
18
Continue on County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
-
19
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
-
20
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
-
21
Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
2388 ft · 58 sec
-
22
Merge slight left
29.1 mi · 34 min
-
23
Keep slight left
15.6 mi · 18 min
-
24
Take the exit slight right
1719 ft · 42 sec
-
25
Turn left onto Jamestown Avenue
99 m · 9 sec · Jamestown Avenue
-
26
Continue on 3rd Avenue Southeast
1.4 mi · 2 min · 3rd Avenue Southeast
-
27
Turn right onto 1st Street East
647 ft · 18 sec · 1st Street East
-
28
Turn left onto 5th Avenue Northeast
1.5 km · 1 min · 5th Avenue Northeast
-
29
Continue on Jamestown Avenue
4.3 mi · 6 min · Jamestown Avenue
-
30
Continue on Jackson Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · Jackson Avenue
-
31
Continue on Main Street South
1.2 km · 1 min · Main Street South
-
32
Continue on Jackson Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · Jackson Avenue
-
33
Continue on Palace Road
1.6 km · 1 min · Palace Road
-
34
Continue on Rock Island Road
2699 ft · 50 sec · Rock Island Road
-
35
Turn left onto 10th Street Southeast
820 ft · 25 sec · 10th Street Southeast
-
36
Turn right onto South Frederick Avenue
1 km · 1 min · South Frederick Avenue
-
37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Frederick Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Oelwein.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Des Moines and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Oelwein.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Oelwein?
The road trip is about 149.3 miles (240.3 km) and usually takes 03h 14m 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?
Holland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.6 miles from Des Moines and 74.8 miles from Oelwein.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 114.2 miles (183.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.87 one way or $39.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Des Moines and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Oelwein.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Oelwein. Straight-line distance: 114.2 mi (183.78 km).
#1 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Oelwein
City in Fayette County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 5,789 |
| Coordinates | 42.6733200, -91.9135000 |
| Altitude | 319 |
| Country | United States |
End: Oelwein (-91.9135, 42.67332)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 240 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.87 | $39.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.41 | $44.83 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.53 | $49.05 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $27.95 | $55.90 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.