How far is Story City, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Story City, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 44.1 miles (70.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40.5 miles (65.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 25m 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 42m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Story County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Story City and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Story City and Des Moines.
-
1
Start on Pennsylvania Avenue
16 m · 8 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Broad Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · Broad Street
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3
Take the ramp right toward I-35 south: Des Moines
2153 ft · 52 sec
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4
Merge slight left
36.5 mi · 40 min
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 235 West: Des Moines
1.4 km · 1 min
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6
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
1580 ft · 39 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
1740 ft · 45 sec
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9
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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10
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Story City 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-35 south
Merge slight left
36.5 mi · 00h 40m
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.
Sunny leaving Story City 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 Story City to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 44.1 miles (70.9 km) and usually takes 00h 42m 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?
Huxley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22 miles from Story City and 22.1 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40.5 miles (65.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.6 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 7:04 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.88 one way or $11.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Story City and Sunny near Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Huxley
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 Huxley.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Story City and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 40.54 mi (65.24 km).
#1 Story City
City in Iowa
| Population | 3,320 |
| Coordinates | 42.1872100, -93.5957700 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| 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: 71 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.88 | $11.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.63 | $13.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.26 | $14.52 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.27 | $16.55 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.