How far is Sheldon, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Sheldon, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 227 miles (365.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 158.3 miles (254.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 20m 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 40m.
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 and county seat of Calhoun County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sheldon and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sheldon and Des Moines.
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1
Start on 9th Street
8 m · 6 sec · 9th Street
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2
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · 2nd Avenue
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3
Take the ramp right
7.5 mi · 9 min
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4
Turn left onto Log Avenue
5.6 mi · 8 min · Log Avenue
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5
Turn left onto 460th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 460th Street
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6
Continue on Garfield Street
2590 ft · 1 min · Garfield Street
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7
Continue on 460th Street
3.5 mi · 5 min · 460th Street
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8
Turn right onto Nettle Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · Nettle Avenue
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9
Continue on D Avenue
5.7 mi · 8 min · D Avenue
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10
Continue on Ames Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · Ames Avenue
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11
Turn left onto 490th Street
5 mi · 7 min · 490th Street
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12
Continue on State Highway 3
4.2 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3
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13
Continue on 500th Street
2.5 mi · 3 min · 500th Street
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14
Turn straight onto State Highway 3
4.4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3
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15
Turn left onto 530th Street
3.4 mi · 5 min · 530th Street
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16
Turn right onto V Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · V Avenue
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17
Continue on 1st Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · 1st Street
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18
Continue on State Highway 7
2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 7
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19
Continue on Highway 7
1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 7
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20
Turn right onto 20th Avenue
9.2 mi · 13 min · 20th Avenue
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21
Continue on Armstrong Avenue
6 mi · 8 min · Armstrong Avenue
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22
At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street
92.4 mi · 1 hr 47 min · 220th Street
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23
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Des Moines
1.1 km · 1 min
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24
Merge slight left
54.5 mi · 59 min
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25
Keep slight left to continue on I 235 West: Des Moines
1.4 km · 1 min
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26
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
1580 ft · 39 sec
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28
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
1740 ft · 45 sec
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29
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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30
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sheldon and Des Moines.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
220th Street
At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street
92.4 mi · 01h 47m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Sheldon and Sunny near Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sheldon to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 227 miles (365.3 km) and usually takes 03h 40m 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?
Rockwell City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 112.9 miles from Sheldon and 114.1 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 158.3 miles (254.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 68.7 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 9:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.21 one way or $60.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sheldon and Sunny near Des Moines.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sheldon and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 158.34 mi (254.82 km).
#1 Sheldon
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 5,071 |
| Coordinates | 43.1810900, -95.8561300 |
| Altitude | 435 |
| 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: 365 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $30.21 | $60.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $34.07 | $68.13 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $37.28 | $74.56 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $42.49 | $84.97 |
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.