How far is Lake City, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Lake City, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 105.4 miles (169.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 73.9 miles (119 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 34m 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 01h 47m.
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.
Human settlement in Greene County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake City and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake City and Des Moines.
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1
Start on North Center Street
14 m · 7 sec · North Center Street
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2
Turn left onto East Main Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
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3
Continue on 360th Street
7 mi · 10 min · 360th Street
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4
Continue on 5th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 5th Street
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5
Continue on 360th Street
14.9 mi · 20 min · 360th Street
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6
Turn right onto Indiana Avenue
4 mi · 5 min · Indiana Avenue
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7
Continue on U Avenue
6.8 mi · 9 min · U Avenue
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8
Continue on Mc Intyre Street
1 km · 1 min · Mc Intyre Street
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9
Continue on U Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · U Avenue
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10
Continue on 9th Street North
919 ft · 17 sec · 9th Street North
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11
Continue on 9th N Street
1005 ft · 25 sec · 9th N Street
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12
Continue on South 9th Street
151 m · 18 sec · South 9th Street
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13
Turn right onto West Main Street
1844 ft · 53 sec · West Main Street
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14
Continue on U Avenue
3.3 mi · 5 min · U Avenue
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15
Turn slight left onto 144 Diagonal
6.9 mi · 10 min · 144 Diagonal
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16
Continue on Apple Road
1.1 mi · 1 min · Apple Road
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17
Continue on 325th Street
2.5 mi · 3 min · 325th Street
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18
Continue on D Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · D Avenue
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19
Turn left onto 335th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 335th Street
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20
Continue on East Avenue
143 m · 14 sec · East Avenue
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21
Turn right onto 335th Street
3.1 mi · 4 min · 335th Street
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22
At the end of the road, turn right onto H Avenue
2650 ft · 41 sec · H Avenue
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23
Continue on N Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · N Avenue
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24
Take the exit left toward IA 141 east: Urbandale
1677 ft · 46 sec
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25
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 19 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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26
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
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27
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
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28
Continue on Grimes Boulevard
3087 ft · 50 sec · Grimes Boulevard
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29
Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard
2 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
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30
Continue on Northwest Urbandale Drive
1354 ft · 37 sec · Northwest Urbandale Drive
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31
Turn left onto I-35 north, I-80 east: Minneapolis, Davenport
1886 ft · 46 sec
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32
Merge slight left
7.3 mi · 8 min
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33
Take the exit slight right toward IA 415: Polk City
1915 ft · 50 sec
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34
Turn right onto Northwest 2nd Street
1.3 km · 2 min · Northwest 2nd Street
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35
Continue on 2nd Avenue
2.5 mi · 5 min · 2nd Avenue
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36
Turn left onto University Avenue
3040 ft · 1 min · University Avenue
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37
Continue on East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake City 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.
Northwest Granger Drive
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 00h 19m
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.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Lake City 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 Lake City to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 105.4 miles (169.7 km) and usually takes 01h 47m 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?
Rippey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.7 miles from Lake City and 56.8 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 73.9 miles (119 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.5 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 2:56 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.03 one way or $28.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Lake City and Chance Rain Showers near Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Rippey
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 Rippey.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake City and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 73.93 mi (118.98 km).
#1 Lake City
City in Iowa, USA
| Population | 1,642 |
| Coordinates | 42.2674800, -94.7338700 |
| Altitude | 378 |
| 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: 170 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $14.03 | $28.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $15.82 | $31.64 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $17.31 | $34.63 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $19.73 | $39.46 |
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.