How far is Sheffield, IA from Des Moines, IA?

The driving distance from Sheffield, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 101.8 miles (163.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 91.6 miles (147.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
101.82 mi
01h 35m
Flight
91.57 mi
147.36 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sheffield.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
91.57 mi
Kilometers
147.36 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
101.82 mi
Kilometers
163.86 km
Drive Time
01h 35m

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 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Des Moines
Mon, May 4, 1:57 PM CDT
Return by in Sheffield
Mon, May 4, 3:32 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sheffield
2026-05-04T12:21
Arrive Des Moines
Mon, May 4, 1:57 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:36 AM to 11:36 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:18 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sheffield
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Ellsworth
IA

City in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States

From Sheffield
50.8 mi
00h 47m
To Des Moines
51 mi
00h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Monday

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 21 mph W
Destination
80°F
Monday

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 13 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Sheffield and Des Moines.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sheffield and Des Moines.

  1. 1

    Start on West Gilman Street

    1799 ft · 41 sec · West Gilman Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto South Lincoln Street

    624 ft · 14 sec · South Lincoln Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Gilman Street

    2239 ft · 45 sec · Gilman Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Grant Street

    106 m · 7 sec · Grant Street

  5. 5

    Continue on 250th Street

    6.1 mi · 11 min · 250th Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp left

    2190 ft · 53 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    88.3 mi · 1 hr 36 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 235 West: Des Moines

    1.4 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village

    1580 ft · 39 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue

    1740 ft · 45 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue

    1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto East University Avenue

    30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sheffield and Des Moines.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
14 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
250th Street
94.9 mi · 93%
John MacVicar Freeway
4.01 mi · 4%
I 235 West
0.87 mi · 1%
Gilman Street
0.42 mi
West Gilman Street
0.34 mi
East Village
0.33 mi
Longest Stretch

250th Street

Merge slight left

88.3 mi · 01h 36m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.2 mi
91.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ellsworth
00h 47m from Sheffield
Leave By
3:18 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Sheffield and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Moines.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sheffield to Des Moines?

The road trip is about 101.8 miles (163.9 km) and usually takes 01h 35m 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?

Ellsworth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.8 miles from Sheffield and 51 miles from Des Moines.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 91.6 miles (147.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.2 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 3:18 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.54 one way or $27.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Sheffield and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Moines.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sheffield and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 91.57 mi (147.36 km).

Sheffield

#1 Sheffield

City in Franklin County, Iowa, United States

Population1,096
Coordinates42.8933000, -93.2152000
Altitude328
CountryUnited States
Des Moines

#2 Des Moines

The capital of Iowa.

Population212,312
Coordinates41.6005400, -93.6091100
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Start: West Gilman Street (-93.2152, 42.893286)
End: East University Avenue (-93.609114, 41.600425)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 164 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.59 gal
13.6 L · about $13.54
Round trip
$27.08
7.18 gal · 27.2 L
Estimated CO2
31.9 kg one way
Round trip: 63.8 kg / 141 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.54 $27.08
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.27 $30.54
Premium $4.65 $16.71 $33.42
Diesel $5.30 $19.04 $38.08

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 04, 2026

There is no time difference between Sheffield and Des Moines. The current time is 12:21:24.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.