How far is Des Moines, IA from Red Oak, IA?
The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Red Oak, IA is about 118.6 miles (190.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 93.3 miles (150.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 32m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Adair and Guthrie Counties in the US state of Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Red Oak.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Red Oak.
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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
61.6 mi · 1 hr 6 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 6, US 71: Atlantic, Audubon
1922 ft · 49 sec
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9
Turn left onto 650th Street
6.5 mi · 9 min · 650th Street
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10
Turn right onto East 7th Street
3.5 mi · 6 min · East 7th Street
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11
Continue on White Pole Road
757 ft · 20 sec · White Pole Road
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12
Continue on West 7th Street
1 km · 1 min · West 7th Street
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13
Continue on Southwest 7th Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Southwest 7th Street
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14
Continue on White Pole Road
8.9 mi · 13 min · White Pole Road
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15
Turn left onto 550th Street
5.3 mi · 8 min · 550th Street
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16
Continue on Adair Street
1.5 km · 1 min · Adair Street
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17
Continue on 550th Street
4.8 mi · 7 min · 550th Street
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18
Continue on M Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · M Avenue
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19
Continue on 110 Street
14 mi · 21 min · 110 Street
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20
Turn left onto West Hammond Street
2305 ft · 2 min · West Hammond Street
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21
Turn right onto North 7th Street
91 m · 15 sec · North 7th Street
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22
Turn right onto East Reed Street
100 m · 14 sec · East Reed Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Reed Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Red Oak.
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
61.6 mi · 01h 06m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Red Oak.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Red Oak?
The road trip is about 118.6 miles (190.8 km) and usually takes 02h 32m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Adair is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59.2 miles from Des Moines and 59.4 miles from Red Oak.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 93.3 miles (150.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.76 one way or $31.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Red Oak.
Stop Ideas Near Adair
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 Adair.
Creston
Osceola
Omaha
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Red Oak. Straight-line distance: 93.3 mi (150.15 km).
#1 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Red Oak
City in and county seat of Montgomery County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 5,271 |
| Coordinates | 41.0097200, -95.2255500 |
| Altitude | 320 |
| Country | United States |
End: Red Oak (-95.22555, 41.00972)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 191 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $15.76 | $31.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $17.78 | $35.56 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $19.45 | $38.91 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $22.17 | $44.34 |
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.