How far is New Sharon, IA from Des Moines, IA?

The driving distance from New Sharon, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 68.8 miles (110.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 50.3 miles (81 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
68.82 mi
01h 08m
Flight
50.35 mi
81.03 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from New Sharon.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
50.35 mi
Kilometers
81.03 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
68.82 mi
Kilometers
110.76 km
Drive Time
01h 08m

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 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Des Moines
Sun, May 3, 10:13 PM CDT
Return by in New Sharon
Sun, May 3, 11:21 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave New Sharon
2026-05-03T21:04
Arrive Des Moines
Sun, May 3, 10:13 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:09 AM to 11:09 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in New Sharon
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Newton
IA

City in and the county seat of Jasper County, Illinois, United States

From New Sharon
34.4 mi
00h 34m
To Des Moines
34.4 mi
00h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
44°F
Overnight

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, May 3 5:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 mph SSW
Destination
48°F
Overnight

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, May 3 2:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between New Sharon and Des Moines.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New Sharon and Des Moines.

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Street

    2543 ft · 43 sec · North Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue on State Highway 146

    9.1 mi · 13 min · State Highway 146

  3. 3

    Keep slight right

    9 mi · 12 min

  4. 4

    Turn left

    2050 ft · 50 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    44.3 mi · 48 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines

    1 km · 1 min

  7. 7

    Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village

    1580 ft · 39 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue

    1740 ft · 45 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue

    1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left onto East University Avenue

    30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between New Sharon and Des Moines.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
12 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 146
62.4 mi · 91%
John MacVicar Freeway
4.01 mi · 6%
I 235 West
0.63 mi · 1%
North Main Street
0.48 mi · 1%
East Village
0.33 mi
Pennsylvania Avenue
0.31 mi
Longest Stretch

State Highway 146

Merge slight left

44.3 mi · 00h 48m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.5 mi
50.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Newton
00h 34m from New Sharon
Leave By
4:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving New Sharon and Slight 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 New Sharon to Des Moines?

The road trip is about 68.8 miles (110.8 km) and usually takes 01h 08m 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?

Newton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.4 miles from New Sharon and 34.4 miles from Des Moines.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 50.3 miles (81 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.5 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 4:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.16 one way or $18.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 21.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around New Sharon and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Des Moines.

Stop Ideas Near Newton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Newton, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Newton.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

92 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Osceola

95 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between New Sharon and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 50.35 mi (81.03 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 New Sharon

Human settlement in Mahaska County, Iowa, United States of America

Population1,286
Coordinates41.4700000, -92.6513000
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Des Moines

#2 Des Moines

The capital of Iowa.

Population212,312
Coordinates41.6005400, -93.6091100
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Start: (-92.651298, 41.470152)
End: East University Avenue (-93.609114, 41.600425)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 111 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 22m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 51m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.43 gal
9.19 L · about $9.16
Round trip
$18.33
4.86 gal · 18.38 L
Estimated CO2
21.6 kg one way
Round trip: 43.2 kg / 95 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.16 $18.33
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.33 $20.67
Premium $4.65 $11.31 $22.62
Diesel $5.30 $12.89 $25.78

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 04, 2026

There is no time difference between New Sharon and Des Moines. The current time is 21:04:31.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.