How far is Des Moines, IA from Robins, IA?

The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Robins, IA is about 122.2 miles (196.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 105.1 miles (169.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
122.19 mi
02h 31m
Flight
105.14 mi
169.2 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Des Moines.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
105.14 mi
Kilometers
169.2 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
122.19 mi
Kilometers
196.65 km
Drive Time
02h 31m

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 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Robins
Thu, Apr 23, 6:58 AM CDT
Return by in Des Moines
Thu, Apr 23, 9:29 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Des Moines
2026-04-23T04:26
Arrive Robins
Thu, Apr 23, 6:58 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:32 AM to 12:32 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:26 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Des Moines
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Montour
IA

Human settlement in Tama County, Iowa, United States of America

From Des Moines
61 mi
01h 15m
To Robins
61.2 mi
01h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 21 mph S
Destination
78°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Robins.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Robins.

  1. 1

    Start on East University Avenue

    147 m · 39 sec · East University Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn uturn onto East University Avenue

    2836 ft · 1 min · East University Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East 14th Street

    1908 ft · 58 sec · East 14th Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet

    1.3 km · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway

    3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport

    1476 ft · 36 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Davenport

    1628 ft · 40 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    3.4 mi · 4 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant

    2428 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road

    33.5 mi · 39 min · Northeast Hubbell Road

  12. 12

    Take the exit right

    2792 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway

    37 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on 73rd Street

    26.8 mi · 31 min · 73rd Street

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

    1.6 km · 2 min

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    9.3 mi · 11 min

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Council Street Northeast

    2.4 mi · 6 min · Council Street Northeast

  18. 18

    Continue on South Mentzer Road

    2686 ft · 1 min · South Mentzer Road

  19. 19

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    2565 ft · 1 min · East Main Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto South 2nd Street

    91 m · 13 sec · South 2nd Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 2nd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Robins.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
21 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 30%
Northeast Hubbell Road
34 mi · 28%
73rd Street
26.8 mi · 22%
IA 100 East
10.3 mi · 8%
I 80 East
3.75 mi · 3%
John MacVicar Freeway
3.28 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 31m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.1 mi
105.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Montour
01h 15m from Des Moines
Leave By
1:26 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Des Moines and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Robins.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Robins?

The road trip is about 122.2 miles (196.6 km) and usually takes 02h 31m 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?

Montour is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61 miles from Des Moines and 61.2 miles from Robins.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 105.1 miles (169.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:26 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.25 one way or $32.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Des Moines and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Robins.

Stop Ideas Near Montour

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Montour, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Montour.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

110 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Robins. Straight-line distance: 105.14 mi (169.2 km).

Des Moines

#1 Des Moines

The capital of Iowa.

Population212,312
Coordinates41.6005400, -93.6091100
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Robins

#2 Robins

City in Linn County, Iowa, United States

Population3,570
Coordinates42.0711100, -91.6668400
Altitude259
CountryUnited States
Start: Des Moines (-93.60911, 41.60054)
End: Robins (-91.66684, 42.07111)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 197 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.31 gal
16.32 L · about $16.25
Round trip
$32.51
8.62 gal · 32.64 L
Estimated CO2
38.3 kg one way
Round trip: 76.6 kg / 169 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.25 $32.51
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.33 $36.66
Premium $4.65 $20.06 $40.12
Diesel $5.30 $22.86 $45.72

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

There is no time difference between Des Moines and Robins. The current time is 04:26:34.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.