How far is Nevada, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Nevada, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 37.6 miles (60.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.3 miles (48.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 14m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 37m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Polk County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Nevada and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nevada and Des Moines.
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1
Start on Lincoln Highway
9 m · 5 sec · Lincoln Highway
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2
Turn right onto 6th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 6th Street
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3
Continue on South 6th Street
814 ft · 16 sec · South 6th Street
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4
Turn right onto Lincoln Highway
6.1 mi · 7 min · Lincoln Highway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Des Moines
1351 ft · 46 sec
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6
Merge slight left
24.2 mi · 27 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 235 West: Des Moines
1.4 km · 1 min
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8
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
1580 ft · 39 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
1740 ft · 45 sec
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11
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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12
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Nevada and Des Moines.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 35 South
Merge slight left
24.2 mi · 00h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Nevada and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Nevada to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 37.6 miles (60.5 km) and usually takes 00h 37m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Alleman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.8 miles from Nevada and 18.8 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.3 miles (48.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.02 one way or $10.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Nevada and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Alleman
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 Alleman.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Nevada and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 30.27 mi (48.71 km).
#1 Nevada
Town in Story County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 6,682 |
| Coordinates | 42.0227700, -93.4524300 |
| Altitude | 305 |
| 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: 61 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.02 | $10.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.66 | $11.31 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.19 | $12.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.05 | $14.11 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.