How far is North English, IA from Des Moines, IA?

The driving distance from North English, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 97.1 miles (156.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 79.5 miles (127.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 10m 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
97.05 mi
01h 35m
Flight
79.47 mi
127.9 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from North English.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
79.47 mi
Kilometers
127.9 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
97.05 mi
Kilometers
156.19 km
Drive Time
01h 35m

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 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Des Moines
Wed, Apr 22, 2:23 PM CDT
Return by in North English
Wed, Apr 22, 3:59 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North English
2026-04-22T12:48
Arrive Des Moines
Wed, Apr 22, 2:23 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:35 AM to 11:35 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:20 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in North English
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
Oakland Acres
IA

City in Jasper County, Iowa, United States

From North English
48.5 mi
00h 47m
To Des Moines
48.5 mi
00h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S
Destination
81°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 13 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between North English and Des Moines.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North English and Des Moines.

  1. 1

    Start on East Clark Street

    15 m · 8 sec · East Clark Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    709 ft · 38 sec · South Main Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 149

    1.2 km · 1 min · State Highway 149

  4. 4

    Continue on M Avenue

    11.9 mi · 17 min · M Avenue

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left

    1477 ft · 36 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    78.6 mi · 1 hr 25 min

  7. 7

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

    1 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  9. 9

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

    1580 ft · 39 sec

  10. 10

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

    1740 ft · 45 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue

    1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto East University Avenue

    30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between North English and Des Moines.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
13 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
M Avenue
90.8 mi · 94%
John MacVicar Freeway
4.01 mi · 4%
State Highway 149
0.76 mi · 1%
I 235 West
0.63 mi · 1%
East Village
0.33 mi
Pennsylvania Avenue
0.31 mi
Longest Stretch

M Avenue

Merge slight left

78.6 mi · 01h 25m

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 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.6 mi
79.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Oakland Acres
00h 47m from North English
Leave By
3:20 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving North English 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 North English to Des Moines?

The road trip is about 97.1 miles (156.2 km) and usually takes 01h 35m 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?

Oakland Acres is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.5 miles from North English and 48.5 miles from Des Moines.

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

The direct path is about 79.5 miles (127.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.6 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 3:20 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.90 one way or $25.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around North English and Sunny near Des Moines.

Stop Ideas Near Oakland Acres

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Oakland Acres, 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 Oakland Acres.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

85 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Osceola

109 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North English and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 79.47 mi (127.9 km).

North English

#1 North English

City in Iowa, United States of America

Population994
Coordinates41.5139000, -92.0762900
Altitude250
CountryUnited States
Des Moines

#2 Des Moines

The capital of Iowa.

Population212,312
Coordinates41.6005400, -93.6091100
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Start: East Clark Street (-92.07629, 41.513939)
End: East University Avenue (-93.609114, 41.600425)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 156 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.42 gal
12.96 L · about $12.90
Round trip
$25.79
6.84 gal · 25.92 L
Estimated CO2
30.4 kg one way
Round trip: 60.8 kg / 134 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.90 $25.79
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.55 $29.09
Premium $4.65 $15.92 $31.83
Diesel $5.30 $18.14 $36.28

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 22, 2026

There is no time difference between North English and Des Moines. The current time is 12:48:25.

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.