How far is Hartford, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Hartford, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 17.8 miles (28.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 14.4 miles (23.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 27m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Warren and Polk counties in the U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hartford and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hartford and Des Moines.
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1
Start on West Elm Street
539 ft · 29 sec · West Elm Street
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2
Turn left onto North Vine Street
2238 ft · 1 min · North Vine Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn left
7.9 mi · 10 min
-
4
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward US 69 North: Des Moines
2559 ft · 1 min
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6
Turn straight onto Southridge Boulevard
1.4 mi · 2 min · Southridge Boulevard
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7
Continue on Southeast 14th Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · Southeast 14th Street
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8
Turn slight left onto Indianola Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Indianola Avenue
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9
Turn right onto Southeast 6th Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · Southeast 6th Street
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10
Continue on East 6th Street
1433 ft · 37 sec · East 6th Street
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11
Turn right onto East Locust Street
150 m · 15 sec · East Locust Street
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12
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Pennsylvania Avenue
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13
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hartford and Des Moines.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Longest stretch
At the end of the road, turn left
7.88 mi · 00h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Cloudy leaving Hartford and Mostly Cloudy near Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hartford to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 17.8 miles (28.6 km) and usually takes 00h 27m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Carlisle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.9 miles from Hartford and 8.9 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 14.4 miles (23.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:34 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.65 one way or $5.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Cloudy around Hartford and Mostly Cloudy near Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Carlisle
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Carlisle.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hartford and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 14.37 mi (23.13 km).
#1 Hartford
City in Iowa
| Population | 780 |
| Coordinates | 41.4594400, -93.4049300 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
End: Des Moines (-93.60911, 41.60054)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 29 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.21 | $2.65 | $5.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.47 | $2.82 | $5.64 |
| Premium | $5.10 | $3.21 | $6.43 |
| Diesel | $6.07 | $3.82 | $7.65 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026