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

The driving distance from Kingsley, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 191.4 miles (308.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 138.8 miles (223.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 59m 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
191.42 mi
02h 59m
Flight
138.84 mi
223.44 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kingsley.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
138.84 mi
Kilometers
223.44 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
191.42 mi
Kilometers
308.06 km
Drive Time
02h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Des Moines
Sun, Apr 19, 1:42 AM CDT
Return by in Kingsley
Sun, Apr 19, 4:41 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kingsley
2026-04-18T22:42
Arrive Des Moines
Sun, Apr 19, 1:42 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:30 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kingsley
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
Moorland
IA

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

From Kingsley
95.6 mi
01h 29m
To Des Moines
95.8 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
48°F
Saturday

Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW
Destination
50°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 17 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West 2nd Street

    19 m · 7 sec · West 2nd Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Main Street

    144 m · 27 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East 1st Street

    2656 ft · 1 min · East 1st Street

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto County Road L14

    1.8 mi · 2 min · County Road L14

  5. 5

    Continue on Knox Avenue

    1.5 km · 1 min · Knox Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn left onto 110th Street

    2 mi · 3 min · 110th Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Lee Avenue

    4.5 mi · 6 min · Lee Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Highway 20

    19 mi · 23 min · Highway 20

  9. 9

    Continue on United States Highway 20

    8.3 mi · 10 min · United States Highway 20

  10. 10

    Continue on 220th Street

    93.4 mi · 1 hr 48 min · 220th Street

  11. 11

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

    1.1 km · 1 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    54.5 mi · 59 min

  13. 13

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

    1.4 km · 1 min

  14. 14

    Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  15. 15

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

    1580 ft · 39 sec

  16. 16

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

    1740 ft · 45 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue

    1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto East University Avenue

    30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Kingsley 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
19 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
93.4 mi · 49%
I 35 South
55.1 mi · 29%
Highway 20
19 mi · 10%
United States Highway 20
8.31 mi · 4%
Lee Avenue
4.48 mi · 2%
John MacVicar Freeway
4.01 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

220th Street

Continue on 220th Street

93.4 mi · 01h 48m

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 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
06h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+52.6 mi
138.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Moorland
01h 29m from Kingsley
Leave By
12:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Snow Showers leaving Kingsley and Chance Rain Showers near Des Moines.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 191.4 miles (308.1 km) and usually takes 02h 59m 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?

Moorland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 95.6 miles from Kingsley and 95.8 miles from Des Moines.

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

The direct path is about 138.8 miles (223.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.6 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 12:30 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.45 one way or $50.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Snow Showers around Kingsley and Chance Rain Showers near Des Moines.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kingsley and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 138.84 mi (223.44 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Kingsley

Town in Iowa, USA

Population1,397
Coordinates42.5883200, -95.9675200
Altitude383
CountryUnited States
Des Moines

#2 Des Moines

The capital of Iowa.

Population212,312
Coordinates41.6005400, -93.6091100
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Start: West 2nd Street (-95.967524, 42.588201)
End: East University Avenue (-93.609114, 41.600425)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 308 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.75 gal
25.57 L · about $25.45
Round trip
$50.91
13.5 gal · 51.14 L
Estimated CO2
60 kg one way
Round trip: 120 kg / 265 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $25.45 $50.91
Mid-grade $4.25 $28.71 $57.42
Premium $4.65 $31.41 $62.83
Diesel $5.30 $35.80 $71.60

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Kingsley and Des Moines. The current time is 22:42:34.

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.