How far is Rock Valley, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Rock Valley, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 250.7 miles (403.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 176.3 miles (283.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 07m 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 04h 03m.
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 Harrison County, Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rock Valley and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rock Valley and Des Moines.
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1
Start on 15th Street
9 m · 3 sec · 15th Street
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2
Turn right onto 16th Avenue
3127 ft · 2 min · 16th Avenue
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3
Continue on Elmwood Avenue
7.8 mi · 11 min · Elmwood Avenue
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4
Turn right onto 390th Street
1 mi · 1 min · 390th Street
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5
Turn left onto Eagle Avenue
7.5 mi · 11 min · Eagle Avenue
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6
Continue on Maple Avenue
2820 ft · 1 min · Maple Avenue
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7
Continue on Eagle Avenue
4 mi · 5 min · Eagle Avenue
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8
Continue on Impala Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · Impala Avenue
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9
Continue on County Road K30
1371 ft · 41 sec · County Road K30
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10
Turn left onto 110th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 110th Street
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11
Turn right onto County Road K42
10 mi · 14 min · County Road K42
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road C38
1 mi · 1 min · County Road C38
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13
Turn right onto County Road K42
1.7 mi · 2 min · County Road K42
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14
Continue on 5th Street
1787 ft · 1 min · 5th Street
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15
Turn left onto Main Street
692 ft · 26 sec · Main Street
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16
Turn right onto 3rd Street
3031 ft · 1 min · 3rd Street
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17
Merge slight left
21.4 mi · 26 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 29: Sioux City, Council Bluffs
1754 ft · 23 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 29 South: Council Bluffs, Sioux Gateway Airport
73.3 mi · 1 hr 19 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 880 East: Des Moines
1.2 km · 2 min
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21
Continue straight
16 mi · 17 min
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22
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Des Moines
1.1 km · 44 sec
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23
Merge slight right
94.9 mi · 1 hr 42 min
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24
Keep slight left to continue on John MacVicar Freeway
8.9 mi · 11 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward East Village, East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue
2031 ft · 1 min
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26
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
2179 ft · 48 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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27
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rock Valley and Des Moines.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 80 East
Merge slight right
94.9 mi · 01h 42m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Rock Valley and Partly Sunny near Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rock Valley to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 250.7 miles (403.4 km) and usually takes 04h 03m 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?
Missouri Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 127.6 miles from Rock Valley and 123.1 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 176.3 miles (283.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 74.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.34 one way or $66.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Rock Valley and Partly Sunny near Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Missouri Valley
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 Missouri Valley.
Omaha
Lincoln
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rock Valley and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 176.26 mi (283.66 km).
#1 Rock Valley
City in Sioux County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 3,901 |
| Coordinates | 43.2052600, -96.2950300 |
| Altitude | 381 |
| 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: 403 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.34 | $66.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.60 | $75.19 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.14 | $82.28 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.89 | $93.77 |
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 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.