How far is State Center, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from State Center, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 46.7 miles (75.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36.8 miles (59.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 48m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Jasper County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between State Center and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between State Center and Des Moines.
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1
Start on East Main Street
4 m · 5 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn left onto 1st Avenue South
1114 ft · 25 sec · 1st Avenue South
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3
Turn right onto 4th Street Southwest
860 ft · 24 sec · 4th Street Southwest
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4
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue Southwest
2153 ft · 43 sec · 3rd Avenue Southwest
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5
Turn left onto Lincoln Highway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Lincoln Highway
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6
Turn right onto Hart Avenue
3.7 mi · 5 min · Hart Avenue
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7
Turn right onto Marshalltown Boulevard
28.2 mi · 33 min · Marshalltown Boulevard
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8
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.1 km · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
4.5 mi · 6 min
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10
Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines
1 km · 1 min
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11
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
1580 ft · 39 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
1740 ft · 45 sec
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14
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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15
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between State Center 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.
Marshalltown Boulevard
Turn right onto Marshalltown Boulevard
28.2 mi · 00h 33m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving State Center and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from State Center to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 46.7 miles (75.1 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?
Mingo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.4 miles from State Center and 23.2 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36.8 miles (59.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:54 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.22 one way or $12.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around State Center and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Mingo
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 Mingo.
Osceola
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between State Center and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 36.79 mi (59.2 km).
#1 State Center
City in Marshall County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 1,432 |
| Coordinates | 42.0166500, -93.1635400 |
| Altitude | 326 |
| 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: 75 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.22 | $12.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $7.02 | $14.03 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.68 | $15.36 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.75 | $17.50 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.