How far is Peosta, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Peosta, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 184.2 miles (296.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 153.3 miles (246.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 02m 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 01m.
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.
Human settlement in Benton County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Peosta and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Peosta and Des Moines.
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1
Start on Peosta Street
2062 ft · 41 sec · Peosta Street
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Peosta Street
30 m · 2 sec · Peosta Street
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3
Exit the roundabout onto Peosta Street
915 ft · 18 sec · Peosta Street
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4
Continue on Sundown Road
8.3 mi · 15 min · Sundown Road
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5
Turn right
45.7 mi · 53 min
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6
Turn left
1.1 mi · 2 min
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7
Turn right
15.2 mi · 19 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
1.2 km · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto 16th Avenue Southwest
2.4 mi · 3 min · 16th Avenue Southwest
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10
Continue on 73rd Street
24.4 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street
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11
Continue on Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
1818 ft · 46 sec
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13
Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi · 40 min · Marshalltown Boulevard
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14
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.1 km · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
4.5 mi · 6 min
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16
Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines
1 km · 1 min
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17
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
1580 ft · 39 sec
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19
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
1740 ft · 45 sec
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20
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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21
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Peosta 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
45.7 mi · 00h 53m
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.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Peosta 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 Peosta to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 184.2 miles (296.4 km) and usually takes 03h 01m 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?
Keystone is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.1 miles from Peosta and 94.1 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 153.3 miles (246.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.9 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 10:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.51 one way or $49.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Peosta and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Keystone
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 Keystone.
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Peosta and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 153.28 mi (246.68 km).
#1 Peosta
City in Dubuque County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,919 |
| Coordinates | 42.4505600, -90.8504100 |
| Altitude | 321 |
| 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: 296 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.51 | $49.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.64 | $55.29 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.25 | $60.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.48 | $68.95 |
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.