How far is Elkader, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Elkader, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 181.6 miles (292.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142.2 miles (228.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 16m 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 08m.
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.
City in Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elkader and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elkader and Des Moines.
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1
Start on South 1st Street
1177 ft · 20 sec · South 1st Street
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2
Continue on Strawberry Point Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Strawberry Point Road
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3
Turn right onto State Highway 13
13.1 mi · 18 min · State Highway 13
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4
Continue on Elkader Street
1.3 km · 2 min · Elkader Street
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5
Turn right onto West Mission Street
1.3 km · 1 min · West Mission Street
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6
Continue on State Highway 3
2.9 mi · 4 min · State Highway 3
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7
Continue on 40th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 40th Street
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward C Avenue
64 m · 3 sec · C Avenue
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9
Exit the roundabout onto C Avenue
3 mi · 4 min · C Avenue
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10
Continue on Washburn Avenue
12.3 mi · 17 min · Washburn Avenue
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11
Take the ramp right
1861 ft · 45 sec
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12
Merge slight left
33.8 mi · 39 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints
23.5 mi · 27 min · Avenue of the Saints
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
2083 ft · 59 sec
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15
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.5 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
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16
Turn right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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17
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
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18
Continue on M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
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19
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
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20
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
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21
Turn right onto 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
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22
Keep slight left to continue on North Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
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23
Continue on Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
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24
Turn right
35.9 mi · 43 min
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25
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
4.5 mi · 6 min
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26
Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines
1 km · 1 min
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27
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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28
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
1580 ft · 39 sec
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29
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
1740 ft · 45 sec
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30
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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31
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elkader and Des Moines.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Longest stretch
Turn right
35.9 mi · 00h 43m
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 Elkader and Sunny near Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elkader to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 181.6 miles (292.3 km) and usually takes 03h 08m 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?
Lincoln is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.7 miles from Elkader and 90.9 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142.2 miles (228.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.17 one way or $48.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Elkader and Sunny near Des Moines.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elkader and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 142.16 mi (228.78 km).
#2 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
End: East University Avenue (-93.609114, 41.600425)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 292 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.17 | $48.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.26 | $54.52 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.83 | $59.66 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.00 | $68.00 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.