How far is Mapleton, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Mapleton, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 143.7 miles (231.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 118.9 miles (191.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 13m 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 02h 36m.
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 Cass County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mapleton and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mapleton and Des Moines.
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1
Start on Main Street
14 m · 9 sec · Main Street
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2
Turn left onto South 4th Street
3081 ft · 1 min · South 4th Street
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3
Continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
2539 ft · 42 sec · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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4
Turn right onto County Highway L32
11.2 mi · 15 min · County Highway L32
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 37
14 mi · 19 min · State Highway 37
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6
Continue on IA 37
1 km · 1 min · IA 37
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7
Turn right onto North 6th Street
1242 ft · 44 sec · North 6th Street
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8
Turn left onto Iowa Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · Iowa Avenue
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9
Continue on Ia 37
683 ft · 11 sec · Ia 37
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10
Continue on State Highway 37
11.8 mi · 16 min · State Highway 37
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11
Continue on Railway Street
137 m · 12 sec · Railway Street
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12
Turn right onto M16 Road
8.8 mi · 12 min · M16 Road
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13
Turn left onto 1000th Street
4 mi · 5 min · 1000th Street
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14
Continue on Chatburn Avenue
1398 ft · 24 sec · Chatburn Avenue
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15
Turn right onto 23rd Street
10.5 mi · 15 min · 23rd Street
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16
Continue on Avoca Lane
671 ft · 19 sec · Avoca Lane
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17
Take the ramp slight right
1377 ft · 34 sec
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18
Merge slight left
82.1 mi · 1 hr 28 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on John MacVicar Freeway
8.9 mi · 11 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward East Village, East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue
2031 ft · 1 min
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21
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
2179 ft · 48 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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22
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mapleton and Des Moines.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Avoca Lane
Merge slight left
82.1 mi · 01h 28m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Mapleton and Mostly Sunny near Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mapleton to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 143.7 miles (231.2 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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?
Marne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.8 miles from Mapleton and 65.9 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 118.9 miles (191.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.8 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 1:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.12 one way or $38.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Mapleton and Mostly Sunny near Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Marne
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 Marne.
Omaha
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mapleton and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 118.94 mi (191.41 km).
#1 Mapleton
City in Monona County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,147 |
| Coordinates | 42.1658200, -95.7930600 |
| Altitude | 347 |
| 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: 231 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.12 | $38.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.56 | $43.13 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.60 | $47.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $26.89 | $53.78 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.