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

The driving distance from George, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 243.3 miles (391.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 171.4 miles (275.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
243.32 mi
04h 01m
Flight
171.4 mi
275.84 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from George.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
171.4 mi
Kilometers
275.84 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
243.32 mi
Kilometers
391.59 km
Drive Time
04h 01m

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 04h 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Des Moines
Thu, Apr 23, 4:08 AM CDT
Return by in George
Thu, Apr 23, 8:09 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave George
2026-04-23T00:06
Arrive Des Moines
Thu, Apr 23, 4:08 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:02 AM to 12:02 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:56 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in George
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Jolley
IA

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

From George
122.1 mi
02h 00m
To Des Moines
121.2 mi
02h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Thursday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 25 mph SSW
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 21 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Street

    115 m · 17 sec · North Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Boiler Avenue

    1375 ft · 1 min · East Boiler Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South Virginia Street

    1 km · 1 min · South Virginia Street

  4. 4

    Continue on L14

    5.7 mi · 8 min · L14

  5. 5

    Continue on Kennedy Avenue

    3.8 mi · 5 min · Kennedy Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on Colfax Street

    2636 ft · 2 min · Colfax Street

  7. 7

    Turn left onto 320th Street

    6 mi · 8 min · 320th Street

  8. 8

    Continue on West Park Street

    1.1 km · 58 sec · West Park Street

  9. 9

    Continue on 320th Street

    1569 ft · 30 sec · 320th Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Western Avenue

    1.6 km · 2 min · Western Avenue

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn left onto West 16th Street

    110 m · 10 sec · West 16th Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto 2nd Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · 2nd Avenue

  13. 13

    Take the ramp right

    7.5 mi · 9 min

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Log Avenue

    5.6 mi · 8 min · Log Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto 460th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 460th Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Garfield Street

    2590 ft · 1 min · Garfield Street

  17. 17

    Continue on 460th Street

    3.5 mi · 5 min · 460th Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Nettle Avenue

    5 mi · 7 min · Nettle Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on D Avenue

    5.7 mi · 8 min · D Avenue

  20. 20

    Continue on Ames Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Ames Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn left onto 490th Street

    5 mi · 7 min · 490th Street

  22. 22

    Continue on State Highway 3

    4.2 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3

  23. 23

    Continue on 500th Street

    2.5 mi · 3 min · 500th Street

  24. 24

    Turn straight onto State Highway 3

    4.4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3

  25. 25

    Turn left onto 530th Street

    3.4 mi · 5 min · 530th Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto V Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · V Avenue

  27. 27

    Continue on 1st Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 1st Street

  28. 28

    Continue on State Highway 7

    2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 7

  29. 29

    Continue on Highway 7

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 7

  30. 30

    Turn right onto 20th Avenue

    9.2 mi · 13 min · 20th Avenue

  31. 31

    Continue on Armstrong Avenue

    6 mi · 8 min · Armstrong Avenue

  32. 32

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street

    92.4 mi · 1 hr 47 min · 220th Street

  33. 33

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Des Moines

    1.1 km · 1 min

  34. 34

    Merge slight left

    54.5 mi · 59 min

  35. 35

    Keep slight left to continue on I 235 West: Des Moines

    1.4 km · 1 min

  36. 36

    Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  37. 37

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

    1580 ft · 39 sec

  38. 38

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

    1740 ft · 45 sec

  39. 39

    Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue

    1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue

  40. 40

    Turn left onto East University Avenue

    30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue

  41. 41

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
41 steps
17 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
92.4 mi · 38%
I 35 South
55.1 mi · 23%
20th Avenue
9.23 mi · 4%
State Highway 3
8.58 mi · 4%
2nd Avenue
8.22 mi · 3%
320th Street
6.28 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

220th Street

At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street

92.4 mi · 01h 47m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 01m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+71.9 mi
171.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Jolley
02h 00m from George
Leave By
8:56 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving George and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Des Moines.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 243.3 miles (391.6 km) and usually takes 04h 01m 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?

Jolley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.1 miles from George and 121.2 miles from Des Moines.

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

The direct path is about 171.4 miles (275.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 71.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:56 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.39 one way or $64.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around George and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Des Moines.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between George and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 171.4 mi (275.84 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 George

City in Iowa, USA

Population1,029
Coordinates43.3438600, -96.0022400
Altitude421
CountryUnited States
Des Moines

#2 Des Moines

The capital of Iowa.

Population212,312
Coordinates41.6005400, -93.6091100
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Start: North Main Street (-96.002352, 43.34386)
End: East University Avenue (-93.609114, 41.600425)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 392 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 03m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 02m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.59 gal
32.5 L · about $32.39
Round trip
$64.79
17.18 gal · 65 L
Estimated CO2
76.3 kg one way
Round trip: 152.7 kg / 337 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $32.39 $64.79
Mid-grade $4.25 $36.53 $73.07
Premium $4.65 $39.98 $79.96
Diesel $5.30 $45.56 $91.12

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between George and Des Moines. The current time is 00:06:38.

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.