How far is Des Moines, IA from Orange City, IA?
The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Orange City, IA is about 240.7 miles (387.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 158.4 miles (255 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 01m 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 04h 30m.
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.
City in Harrison County, Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Orange City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Orange City.
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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
94.8 mi · 1 hr 42 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux City
16.7 mi · 18 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 29 North: Sioux City
2271 ft · 39 sec
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10
Merge slight left
72.2 mi · 1 hr 18 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East, US 75 North: Fort Dodge, Le Mars
1.2 km · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left
30.1 mi · 36 min
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13
Continue on IA 60 North: Sheldon
10.4 mi · 12 min
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14
Turn left onto County Road K64
3.7 mi · 5 min · County Road K64
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15
Continue on Albany Place
2626 ft · 52 sec · Albany Place
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16
Continue on Albany Avenue
1.2 mi · 3 min · Albany Avenue
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17
Turn left onto 2nd Street Northeast
131 m · 21 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northwest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Orange City.
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
94.8 mi · 01h 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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Des Moines and Mostly Sunny near Orange City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Orange City?
The road trip is about 240.7 miles (387.3 km) and usually takes 04h 30m 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?
Missouri Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 120.2 miles from Des Moines and 120.5 miles from Orange City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 158.4 miles (255 km), while the road route adds roughly 82.3 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 7:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.02 one way or $64.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 75.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Des Moines and Mostly Sunny near Orange City.
Stop Ideas Near Missouri Valley
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 Missouri Valley.
Omaha
Lincoln
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Orange City. Straight-line distance: 158.45 mi (255 km).
#1 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Orange City
City in Western Iowa
| Population | 6,182 |
| Coordinates | 43.0072100, -96.0583500 |
| Altitude | 440 |
| Country | United States |
End: Orange City (-96.05835, 43.00721)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 387 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.02 | $64.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.11 | $72.22 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $39.51 | $79.02 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.03 | $90.06 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.