How far is Knoxville, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Knoxville, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 39.4 miles (63.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 32.3 miles (52 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 46m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Knoxville and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville and Des Moines.
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1
Start on North Lincoln Street
11 m · 3 sec · North Lincoln Street
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2
Turn right onto West Pleasant Street
2673 ft · 53 sec · West Pleasant Street
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3
Continue on McKimber Street
1255 ft · 25 sec · McKimber Street
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4
Continue on McKimber Drive
2817 ft · 56 sec · McKimber Drive
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5
Take the ramp straight
3148 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left
6.7 mi · 8 min
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7
Turn right
575 ft · 7 sec
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8
Continue on State Highway 5
19.2 mi · 23 min · State Highway 5
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9
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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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 69 North: Des Moines
2559 ft · 1 min
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11
Turn straight onto Southridge Boulevard
1.4 mi · 2 min · Southridge Boulevard
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12
Continue on Southeast 14th Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · Southeast 14th Street
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13
Turn slight left onto Indianola Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Indianola Avenue
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14
Turn right onto Southeast 6th Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · Southeast 6th Street
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15
Continue on East 6th Street
1433 ft · 37 sec · East 6th Street
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16
Turn right onto East Locust Street
150 m · 15 sec · East Locust Street
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17
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Pennsylvania Avenue
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18
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Knoxville 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.
State Highway 5
Continue on State Highway 5
19.2 mi · 00h 23m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Knoxville 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 Knoxville to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 39.4 miles (63.4 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?
Hartford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.6 miles from Knoxville and 20.8 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 32.3 miles (52 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.1 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 4:56 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.24 one way or $10.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Knoxville and Sunny near Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Hartford
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 Hartford.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Knoxville and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 32.3 mi (51.98 km).
#1 Knoxville
City in and seat of Marion County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 7,082 |
| Coordinates | 41.3208300, -93.1093700 |
| Altitude | 277 |
| Country | United States |
#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: 63 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.24 | $10.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.91 | $11.82 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.47 | $12.94 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.37 | $14.75 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.