How far is Polk City, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Polk City, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 15.6 miles (25.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 13 miles (20.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 24m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Polk County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Polk City and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Polk City and Des Moines.
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1
Start on North 2nd Street
5 m · 3 sec · North 2nd Street
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2
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
85 m · 19 sec · West Broadway Street
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3
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
3016 ft · 1 min · South 3rd Street
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4
Continue on Northwest Polk City Drive
4.3 mi · 6 min · Northwest Polk City Drive
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5
Continue on Northwest 35th Street
1.6 mi · 2 min · Northwest 35th Street
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6
Continue on Northwest 78th Avenue
2614 ft · 45 sec · Northwest 78th Avenue
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7
Continue on Southwest Oralabor Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Southwest Oralabor Road
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8
Turn right onto Southwest State Street
1 mi · 1 min · Southwest State Street
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9
Continue on Northwest 2nd Street
3.6 mi · 6 min · Northwest 2nd Street
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10
Continue on 2nd Avenue
2.5 mi · 5 min · 2nd Avenue
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11
Turn left onto University Avenue
3040 ft · 1 min · University Avenue
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12
Continue on East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Polk City and Des Moines.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Northwest Polk City Drive
Continue on Northwest Polk City Drive
4.35 mi · 00h 06m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Polk City and Mostly Cloudy near Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Polk City to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 15.6 miles (25.1 km) and usually takes 00h 24m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Saylorville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.1 miles from Polk City and 7.5 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 13 miles (20.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.07 one way or $4.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Polk City and Mostly Cloudy near Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Saylorville
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 Saylorville.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Polk City and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 12.96 mi (20.86 km).
#1 Polk City
American city in Iowa
| Population | 4,961 |
| Coordinates | 41.7713800, -93.7130000 |
| Altitude | 269 |
| 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: 25 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.07 | $4.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.34 | $4.68 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.56 | $5.12 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $2.92 | $5.83 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.