How far is Des Moines, IA from Sidney, IA?
The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Sidney, IA is about 170 miles (273.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 121.3 miles (195.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 37m 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 18m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Sidney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Sidney.
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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 left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
23.5 mi · 25 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 29 South: Kansas City
1.1 mi · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left
27.9 mi · 30 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward CR J24: Mc Paul, Thurman
1526 ft · 44 sec
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12
Turn left onto 155 Street
587 ft · 16 sec · 155 Street
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13
Continue on North Street
2.8 mi · 7 min · North Street
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14
Turn right onto Fletcher Street
806 ft · 27 sec · Fletcher Street
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15
Turn left onto Filmore Street
2887 ft · 1 min · Filmore Street
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16
Continue on State Highway 145
3.8 mi · 9 min · State Highway 145
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17
Turn right onto US 275
4.5 mi · 7 min · US 275
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18
Continue on Old Highway 275
1588 ft · 32 sec · Old Highway 275
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19
Continue on Illinois Street
2086 ft · 44 sec · Illinois Street
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20
Turn right onto Filmore Street
19 m · 3 sec · Filmore Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Filmore Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Sidney.
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.
Sunny leaving Des Moines and Sunny near Sidney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Sidney?
The road trip is about 170 miles (273.6 km) and usually takes 03h 18m 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?
Walnut is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.9 miles from Des Moines and 85.1 miles from Sidney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 121.3 miles (195.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.7 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 10:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.63 one way or $45.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Des Moines and Sunny near Sidney.
Stop Ideas Near Walnut
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 Walnut.
Omaha
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Sidney. Straight-line distance: 121.26 mi (195.15 km).
#1 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sidney
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,016 |
| Coordinates | 40.7483300, -95.6475000 |
| Altitude | 356 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sidney (-95.6475, 40.74833)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 274 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.63 | $45.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.52 | $51.04 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.92 | $55.85 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.82 | $63.65 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.