How far is Metropolis, IL from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Metropolis, IL to Des Moines, IA is about 511.6 miles (823.4 km), with a travel time of about 10h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 402.8 miles (648.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 20h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 10h 01m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Pike County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Metropolis and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Metropolis and Des Moines.
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1
Start on West 5th Street
14 m · 9 sec · West 5th Street
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2
Turn left onto Ferry Street
1985 ft · 1 min · Ferry Street
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3
Turn left onto West 10th Street
876 ft · 29 sec · West 10th Street
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4
Turn right onto Pearl Street
594 ft · 17 sec · Pearl Street
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5
Turn slight left onto North Avenue
6.3 mi · 10 min · North Avenue
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6
Continue on New Columbia Road
4.3 mi · 6 min · New Columbia Road
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7
Turn right onto Big Bay Road
2365 ft · 41 sec · Big Bay Road
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8
Take the ramp left toward New Columbia, Big Bay
1470 ft · 27 sec
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9
Merge slight left
25.4 mi · 27 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
1935 ft · 47 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway
51.7 mi · 56 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 64 West: Saint Louis
72.5 mi · 1 hr 20 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on IL 3 South: Cahokia
1.6 mi · 2 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Jack Buck Memorial Highway
6.9 mi · 9 min · Jack Buck Memorial Highway
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15
Continue on Daniel Boone Expressway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Daniel Boone Expressway
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16
Continue on Avenue of the Saints
101.2 mi · 2 hr 1 min · Avenue of the Saints
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17
Take the exit slight left
76 m · 15 sec
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18
Turn left onto Paris Gravel Road
2645 ft · 1 min · Paris Gravel Road
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19
Keep slight right to continue on County Road 422
85 m · 9 sec · County Road 422
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20
Turn right onto Veterans Road
3.2 mi · 6 min · Veterans Road
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21
Turn left
1.7 mi · 2 min
-
22
Turn left onto Avenue of the Saints
17 mi · 20 min · Avenue of the Saints
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward Avenue of the Saints
75.5 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Avenue of the Saints
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24
Keep slight right
61.1 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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25
Continue straight
75.3 mi · 1 hr 32 min
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Metropolis and Des Moines.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Avenue of the Saints
Continue on Avenue of the Saints
101 mi · 02h 01m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny leaving Metropolis and Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Metropolis to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 511.6 miles (823.4 km) and usually takes 10h 01m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Frankford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 255.4 miles from Metropolis and 256.2 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 402.8 miles (648.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 108.8 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $84.20 one way or $168.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 160.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny around Metropolis and Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Frankford
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 Frankford.
Quincy
Hermann
Washington
La Plata
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Metropolis and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 402.79 mi (648.23 km).
#1 Metropolis
Very large and significant city or urban area usually with millions of inhabitants
| Population | 5,885 |
| Coordinates | 37.1511700, -88.7320000 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| 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: 823 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 17h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 12h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 10h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $84.20 | $168.41 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $95.52 | $191.04 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $105.36 | $210.72 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $118.61 | $237.21 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
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