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

The driving distance from Epworth, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 180.2 miles (290 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 149.3 miles (240.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 55m 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
180.19 mi
02h 57m
Flight
149.27 mi
240.23 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Epworth.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
149.27 mi
Kilometers
240.23 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
180.19 mi
Kilometers
289.99 km
Drive Time
02h 57m

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 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Des Moines
Fri, Apr 17, 1:00 PM CDT
Return by in Epworth
Fri, Apr 17, 3:58 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Epworth
2026-04-17T10:02
Arrive Des Moines
Fri, Apr 17, 1:00 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:58 AM to 12:58 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:34 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Epworth
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
Keystone
IA

Human settlement in Benton County, Iowa, United States of America

From Epworth
90 mi
01h 28m
To Des Moines
90.2 mi
01h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Friday

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
80°F
Friday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 17 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Center Avenue South

    1775 ft · 50 sec · Center Avenue South

  2. 2

    Take the ramp right toward US 20 West, US 52 North

    1536 ft · 42 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    3.2 mi · 4 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward CR Y13: Farley

    1625 ft · 53 sec

  5. 5

    Turn left onto 1st Street Southwest

    854 ft · 20 sec · 1st Street Southwest

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Olde Farley Road

    2494 ft · 55 sec · Olde Farley Road

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Farley Road

    10.4 mi · 18 min · Farley Road

  8. 8

    Take the ramp right

    1935 ft · 47 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    38.8 mi · 45 min

  10. 10

    Turn left

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  11. 11

    Turn right

    15.2 mi · 19 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown

    1.2 km · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto 16th Avenue Southwest

    2.4 mi · 3 min · 16th Avenue Southwest

  14. 14

    Continue on 73rd Street

    24.4 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Lincoln Highway

    37.3 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines

    1818 ft · 46 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard

    33.7 mi · 40 min · Marshalltown Boulevard

  18. 18

    Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue

    1.1 km · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines

    4.5 mi · 6 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines

    1 km · 1 min

  21. 21

    Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village

    1580 ft · 39 sec

  23. 23

    Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue

    1740 ft · 45 sec

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue

    1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue

  25. 25

    Turn left onto East University Avenue

    30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
26 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
3 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Farley Road
49.5 mi · 27%
Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 21%
Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi · 19%
73rd Street
24.4 mi · 14%
I 80 west
4.47 mi · 2%
John MacVicar Freeway
4.01 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Farley Road

Merge slight left

38.8 mi · 00h 45m

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 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.9 mi
149.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Keystone
01h 28m from Epworth
Leave By
12:34 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 180.2 miles (290 km) and usually takes 02h 57m 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?

Keystone is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90 miles from Epworth and 90.2 miles from Des Moines.

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

The direct path is about 149.3 miles (240.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.9 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 12:34 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.98 one way or $47.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Keystone

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

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

RAIL

Ottumwa station

110 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Epworth and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 149.27 mi (240.23 km).

Epworth

#1 Epworth

City in Iowa, United States

Population2,022
Coordinates42.4450000, -90.9320800
Altitude318
CountryUnited States
Des Moines

#2 Des Moines

The capital of Iowa.

Population212,312
Coordinates41.6005400, -93.6091100
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Start: Center Avenue South (-90.931898, 42.444999)
End: East University Avenue (-93.609114, 41.600425)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 290 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 00m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.36 gal
24.07 L · about $23.98
Round trip
$47.97
12.72 gal · 48.14 L
Estimated CO2
56.5 kg one way
Round trip: 113 kg / 249 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.98 $47.97
Mid-grade $4.25 $27.05 $54.10
Premium $4.65 $29.60 $59.20
Diesel $5.30 $33.73 $67.47

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 Epworth and Des Moines. The current time is 10:02:29.

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.