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

The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Walford, IA is about 110 miles (177 km), with a travel time of about 02h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 93.5 miles (150.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 16m 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
109.96 mi
02h 08m
Flight
93.47 mi
150.43 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
93.47 mi
Kilometers
150.43 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
109.96 mi
Kilometers
176.97 km
Drive Time
02h 08m

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 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Walford
Sun, May 31, 10:09 AM CDT
Return by in Des Moines
Sun, May 31, 12:18 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Des Moines
2026-05-31T08:01
Arrive Walford
Sun, May 31, 10:09 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:08 AM to 12:08 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:14 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Malcom
IA

City in Poweshiek County, Iowa, United States

From Des Moines
54.9 mi
01h 04m
To Walford
55.1 mi
01h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph ESE
Destination
80°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    86.5 mi · 1 hr 33 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 151 North, CR W21 South: Amana Colonies

    1421 ft · 42 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto U Avenue

    5.6 mi · 8 min · U Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    11.8 mi · 17 min

  12. 12

    Turn left onto 3rd Street North

    65 m · 15 sec · 3rd Street North

  13. 13

    Turn left onto B Avenue West

    33 m · 5 sec · B Avenue West

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · B Avenue West

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
86.8 mi · 79%
U Avenue
17.4 mi · 16%
John MacVicar Freeway
3.28 mi · 3%
US 69
0.81 mi · 1%
East University Avenue
0.63 mi · 1%
East 14th Street
0.36 mi
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight left

86.5 mi · 01h 33m

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 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.5 mi
93.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Malcom
01h 04m from Des Moines
Leave By
2:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 110 miles (177 km) and usually takes 02h 08m 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?

Malcom is a useful midpoint, sitting about 54.9 miles from Des Moines and 55.1 miles from Walford.

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

The direct path is about 93.5 miles (150.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.5 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 2:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.63 one way or $29.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Malcom

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Malcom, 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 Malcom.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

78 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

117 mi away
418 North Adams Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Walford. Straight-line distance: 93.47 mi (150.43 km).

Des Moines

#1 Des Moines

The capital of Iowa.

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

#2 Walford

City in Iowa, United States of America

Population1,436
Coordinates41.8783400, -91.8346200
Altitude245
CountryUnited States
Start: Des Moines (-93.60911, 41.60054)
End: Walford (-91.83462, 41.87834)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 177 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.88 gal
14.69 L · about $14.63
Round trip
$29.26
7.76 gal · 29.38 L
Estimated CO2
34.5 kg one way
Round trip: 69 kg / 152 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $14.63 $29.26
Mid-grade $4.25 $16.50 $33.00
Premium $4.65 $18.06 $36.12
Diesel $5.30 $20.58 $41.16

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 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Des Moines and Walford. The current time is 08:01:20.

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.