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

The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Williamsburg, IA is about 89.3 miles (143.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 82.8 miles (133.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 21m 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
89.26 mi
01h 40m
Flight
82.74 mi
133.15 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
82.74 mi
Kilometers
133.15 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
89.26 mi
Kilometers
143.65 km
Drive Time
01h 40m

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 01h 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Williamsburg
Fri, Apr 17, 4:11 AM CDT
Return by in Des Moines
Fri, Apr 17, 5:52 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Des Moines
2026-04-17T02:30
Arrive Williamsburg
Fri, Apr 17, 4:11 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:41 AM to 11:41 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:08 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
Oakland Acres
IA

City in Jasper County, Iowa, United States

From Des Moines
44.6 mi
00h 50m
To Williamsburg
44.7 mi
00h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Friday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 17 mph S
Destination
78°F
Friday

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 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 Williamsburg.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    81.4 mi · 1 hr 28 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 149 South, CR B77 North: Williamsburg, Parnell

    1677 ft · 43 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right

    1.7 mi · 3 min

  11. 11

    Turn right onto West Welsh Street

    122 m · 10 sec · West Welsh Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Court Street

    43 m · 6 sec · Court Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Court Street

Car Route Details

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

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
13 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
81.8 mi · 92%
John MacVicar Freeway
3.28 mi · 4%
US 69
0.81 mi · 1%
East University Avenue
0.63 mi · 1%
East 14th Street
0.36 mi
IA 149 South
0.32 mi
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight left

81.4 mi · 01h 28m

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
01h 40m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.5 mi
82.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Oakland Acres
00h 50m from Des Moines
Leave By
3:08 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 89.3 miles (143.7 km) and usually takes 01h 40m 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?

Oakland Acres is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44.6 miles from Des Moines and 44.7 miles from Williamsburg.

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

The direct path is about 82.8 miles (133.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.5 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 3:08 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.88 one way or $23.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Oakland Acres

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

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

RAIL

Ottumwa station

85 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Osceola

109 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Williamsburg. Straight-line distance: 82.74 mi (133.15 km).

Des Moines

#1 Des Moines

The capital of Iowa.

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

#2 Williamsburg

City in Iowa

Population3,179
Coordinates41.6611200, -92.0090700
Altitude251
CountryUnited States
Start: Des Moines (-93.60911, 41.60054)
End: Williamsburg (-92.00907, 41.66112)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 144 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.15 gal
11.92 L · about $11.88
Round trip
$23.76
6.3 gal · 23.84 L
Estimated CO2
28 kg one way
Round trip: 56 kg / 123 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $11.88 $23.76
Mid-grade $4.25 $13.40 $26.79
Premium $4.65 $14.66 $29.32
Diesel $5.30 $16.71 $33.42

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Des Moines and Williamsburg. The current time is 02:30:23.

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.