How far is Orange City, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Orange City, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 224.9 miles (361.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 158.4 miles (255 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 36m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 and county seat of Calhoun County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Orange City and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orange City and Des Moines.
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1
Start on 2nd Street Northwest
131 m · 25 sec · 2nd Street Northwest
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2
Turn right onto Albany Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · Albany Avenue
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3
Turn left onto 8th Street Southeast
1307 ft · 36 sec · 8th Street Southeast
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4
Continue on 450th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 450th Street
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 450th Street
24 m · 5 sec · 450th Street
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6
Exit the roundabout onto 450th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 450th Street
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7
Turn right onto Kennedy Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · Kennedy Avenue
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8
Continue on State Highway 10
1587 ft · 25 sec · State Highway 10
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9
Continue on 460th Street
1.8 mi · 2 min · 460th Street
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10
Turn right onto Kiwi Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · Kiwi Avenue
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11
Continue on County Road L14
7 mi · 10 min · County Road L14
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12
Continue on State Highway 140
15.1 mi · 21 min · State Highway 140
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13
Turn left onto 320th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 320th Street
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14
Turn right onto Shamrock Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · Shamrock Avenue
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15
Continue on Lee Avenue
5.4 mi · 8 min · Lee Avenue
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16
Turn left onto Highway 20
19 mi · 23 min · Highway 20
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17
Continue on United States Highway 20
8.3 mi · 10 min · United States Highway 20
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18
Continue on 220th Street
93.4 mi · 1 hr 48 min · 220th Street
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Des Moines
1.1 km · 1 min
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20
Merge slight left
54.5 mi · 59 min
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21
Keep slight left to continue on I 235 West: Des Moines
1.4 km · 1 min
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22
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
1580 ft · 39 sec
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24
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
1740 ft · 45 sec
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25
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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26
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Orange City 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.
220th Street
Continue on 220th Street
93.4 mi · 01h 48m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Orange City and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Orange City to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 224.9 miles (361.9 km) and usually takes 03h 36m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Rockwell City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 112.3 miles from Orange City and 112.5 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 158.4 miles (255 km), while the road route adds roughly 66.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:46 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.94 one way or $59.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Orange City and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Des Moines.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Orange City and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 158.45 mi (255 km).
#1 Orange City
City in Western Iowa
| Population | 6,182 |
| Coordinates | 43.0072100, -96.0583500 |
| Altitude | 440 |
| 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: 362 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.94 | $59.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.77 | $67.54 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.95 | $73.91 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $42.11 | $84.23 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.