How far is Palo, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Palo, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 117.1 miles (188.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 98.7 miles (158.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 52m 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 01h 56m.
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 Marshall County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Palo and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palo and Des Moines.
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1
Start on Vinton Street
26 m · 9 sec · Vinton Street
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2
Turn left onto 1st Street
2695 ft · 2 min · 1st Street
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3
Turn left onto Covington Road
3.8 mi · 7 min · Covington Road
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4
Take the ramp right toward IA 100 west: To US 30
1537 ft · 38 sec
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5
Merge slight left
2.9 mi · 3 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
1.2 km · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto 16th Avenue Southwest
2.4 mi · 3 min · 16th Avenue Southwest
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8
Continue on 73rd Street
24.4 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street
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9
Continue on Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
1818 ft · 46 sec
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11
Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi · 40 min · Marshalltown Boulevard
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12
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.1 km · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
4.5 mi · 6 min
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14
Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines
1 km · 1 min
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15
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
1580 ft · 39 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
1740 ft · 45 sec
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18
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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19
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palo 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.
Lincoln Highway
Continue on Lincoln Highway
37.3 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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Palo 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 Palo to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 117.1 miles (188.4 km) and usually takes 01h 56m 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?
Le Grand is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.5 miles from Palo and 58.6 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 98.7 miles (158.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.4 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 2:38 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.57 one way or $31.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Palo and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Le Grand
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 Le Grand.
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palo and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 98.75 mi (158.92 km).
#1 Palo
City in Linn County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,075 |
| Coordinates | 42.0661100, -91.7954600 |
| Altitude | 226 |
| 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: 188 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $15.57 | $31.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $17.56 | $35.13 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $19.22 | $38.44 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $21.91 | $43.81 |
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.