How far is Oelwein, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Oelwein, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 146.9 miles (236.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 114.2 miles (183.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 13m 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 36m.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Oelwein and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oelwein and Des Moines.
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1
Start on South Frederick Avenue
1 km · 1 min · South Frederick Avenue
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2
Turn left onto 10th Street Southeast
820 ft · 24 sec · 10th Street Southeast
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3
Turn right onto Rock Island Road
2699 ft · 45 sec · Rock Island Road
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4
Continue on Palace Road
1.6 km · 1 min · Palace Road
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5
Continue on Jackson Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · Jackson Avenue
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6
Continue on Main Street North
1.2 km · 1 min · Main Street North
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7
Continue on Jackson Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · Jackson Avenue
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8
Continue on Jamestown Avenue
4.3 mi · 6 min · Jamestown Avenue
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9
Continue on 5th Avenue Northeast
1.5 km · 1 min · 5th Avenue Northeast
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10
Turn right onto 1st Street East
647 ft · 18 sec · 1st Street East
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11
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue Southeast
1.3 mi · 2 min · 3rd Avenue Southeast
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12
Take the ramp right
2002 ft · 49 sec
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13
Merge slight left
21.2 mi · 24 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints
23.5 mi · 27 min · Avenue of the Saints
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15
Take the exit slight right toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
2083 ft · 59 sec
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16
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.5 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
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17
Turn right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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18
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
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19
Continue on M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
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20
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
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21
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
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22
Turn right onto 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
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23
Keep slight left to continue on North Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
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24
Continue on Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
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25
Turn right
35.9 mi · 43 min
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26
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
4.5 mi · 6 min
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27
Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines
1 km · 1 min
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28
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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29
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
1580 ft · 39 sec
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30
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
1740 ft · 45 sec
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31
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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32
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Oelwein 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.
Longest stretch
Turn right
35.9 mi · 00h 43m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Oelwein 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 Oelwein to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 146.9 miles (236.4 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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?
Holland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.6 miles from Oelwein and 72.3 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 114.2 miles (183.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.7 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 1:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.53 one way or $39.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Oelwein and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Des Moines.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Oelwein and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 114.2 mi (183.78 km).
#1 Oelwein
City in Fayette County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 5,789 |
| Coordinates | 42.6733200, -91.9135000 |
| Altitude | 319 |
| 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: 236 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.53 | $39.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.03 | $44.06 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.11 | $48.22 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $27.47 | $54.95 |
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.