How far is Mount Vernon, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Mount Vernon, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 129 miles (207.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 115.1 miles (185.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 14m 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 07m.
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, United States
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 Mount Vernon and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Vernon and Des Moines.
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1
Start on the route
23 m · 10 sec
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2
Turn left
20 m · 11 sec
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3
Turn left onto 1st Street East
70 m · 14 sec · 1st Street East
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4
Turn left onto 1st Avenue South
2046 ft · 35 sec · 1st Avenue South
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5
Continue on State Highway 1
690 ft · 20 sec · State Highway 1
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 1
37 m · 6 sec · State Highway 1
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7
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 1
5.3 mi · 7 min · State Highway 1
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8
Continue on Highway 1 Northeast
3.2 mi · 4 min · Highway 1 Northeast
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9
Continue on North Market Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · North Market Street
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10
Continue on Highway 1 Northeast
7.5 mi · 10 min · Highway 1 Northeast
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11
Continue on North Dodge Street
2471 ft · 56 sec · North Dodge Street
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12
Take the ramp right
1709 ft · 42 sec
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13
Merge slight left
108.1 mi · 1 hr 57 min
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14
Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines
1 km · 1 min
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15
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
1580 ft · 39 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
1740 ft · 45 sec
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18
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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19
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mount Vernon and Des Moines.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
North Dodge Street
Merge slight left
108 mi · 01h 57m
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 Mount Vernon 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 Mount Vernon to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 129 miles (207.6 km) and usually takes 02h 07m 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?
Brooklyn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.1 miles from Mount Vernon and 62.9 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 115.1 miles (185.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.9 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 2:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.16 one way or $34.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mount Vernon and Sunny near Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Brooklyn
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 Brooklyn.
Ottumwa station
Mount Pleasant
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mount Vernon and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 115.15 mi (185.31 km).
#1 Mount Vernon
City in Linn County, Iowa
| Population | 4,528 |
| Coordinates | 41.9219500, -91.4168400 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| 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: 208 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.16 | $34.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.35 | $38.70 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.18 | $42.35 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $24.13 | $48.27 |
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.