How far is Des Moines, WA from Vancouver, WA?

The driving distance from Des Moines, WA to Vancouver, WA is about 150.2 miles (241.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 122.8 miles (197.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
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
150.25 mi
02h 26m
Flight
122.86 mi
197.73 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
122.86 mi
Kilometers
197.73 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
150.25 mi
Kilometers
241.81 km
Drive Time
02h 26m

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 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Vancouver
Thu, May 7, 11:28 AM PDT
Return by in Des Moines
Thu, May 7, 1:55 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Des Moines
2026-05-07T09:01
Arrive Vancouver
Thu, May 7, 11:28 AM PDT
Route Timing
02h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:27 AM to 12:27 PM PDT

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

Leave by
1:36 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Des Moines
9:30 PM PDT
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
Chehalis
WA

City in and county seat of Lewis County, Washington, United States

From Des Moines
74.9 mi
01h 13m
To Vancouver
75.4 mi
01h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 7 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph SW
Destination
73°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 7 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    13 m · 5 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South 223rd Street

    1 mi · 3 min · South 223rd Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 24th Avenue South

    2425 ft · 1 min · 24th Avenue South

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South Kent Des Moines Road

    2509 ft · 1 min · South Kent Des Moines Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward I 5 South: Portland

    2062 ft · 52 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    14.7 mi · 18 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right

    126.2 mi · 2 hr 23 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    6.2 mi · 8 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward 4th Plain Boulevard

    955 ft · 23 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on 4th Plain Boulevard East

    74 m · 13 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto East Fourth Plain Boulevard

    810 ft · 23 sec · East Fourth Plain Boulevard

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Fourth Plain Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 South
147 mi · 98%
South 223rd Street
1.02 mi · 1%
South Kent Des Moines Road
0.48 mi
24th Avenue South
0.46 mi
4th Plain Boulevard
0.18 mi
East Fourth Plain Boulevard
0.15 mi
Longest Stretch

I 5 South

Keep slight right

126 mi · 02h 23m

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 26m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.4 mi
122.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Chehalis
01h 13m from Des Moines
Leave By
1:36 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Des Moines and Mostly Sunny near Vancouver.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 150.2 miles (241.8 km) and usually takes 02h 26m 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?

Chehalis is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.9 miles from Des Moines and 75.4 miles from Vancouver.

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

The direct path is about 122.8 miles (197.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.4 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 PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:36 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.73 one way or $55.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Des Moines and Mostly Sunny near Vancouver.

Stop Ideas Near Chehalis

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

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

RAIL

Centralia station

6 mi away
210 Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Centennial Station

39 mi away
6600 Yelm Highway S.E.
RAIL

Kelso Multimodal Transportation Center

58 mi away
501 South First Street
RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

77 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Vancouver. Straight-line distance: 122.86 mi (197.73 km).

Des Moines

#1 Des Moines

City in Washington

Population32,389
Coordinates47.4017700, -122.3242900
Altitude28
CountryUnited States
Vancouver

#2 Vancouver

The third most populous city in Washington.

Population186,192
Coordinates45.6387300, -122.6614900
Altitude52
CountryUnited States
Start: (-122.324284, 47.401777)
End: East Fourth Plain Boulevard (-122.661479, 45.638677)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 242 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.3 gal
20.07 L · about $27.73
Round trip
$55.47
10.6 gal · 40.14 L
Estimated CO2
47.1 kg one way
Round trip: 94.2 kg / 208 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $27.73 $55.47
Mid-grade $5.57 $29.51 $59.01
Premium $5.77 $30.59 $61.17
Diesel $5.47 $28.98 $57.95

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 Washington · May 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Des Moines and Vancouver. The current time is 09:01:20.

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.