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

The driving distance from Wilton, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 142.8 miles (229.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 134 miles (215.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 29m 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
142.81 mi
02h 14m
Flight
133.95 mi
215.57 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Wilton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
133.95 mi
Kilometers
215.57 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
142.81 mi
Kilometers
229.83 km
Drive Time
02h 14m

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 02h 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Des Moines
Fri, Apr 17, 11:20 AM CDT
Return by in Wilton
Fri, Apr 17, 1:34 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Wilton
2026-04-17T09:05
Arrive Des Moines
Fri, Apr 17, 11:20 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:15 AM to 12:15 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:00 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Wilton
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Victor
IA

Town in Iowa, United States

From Wilton
71.3 mi
01h 07m
To Des Moines
71.5 mi
01h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S
Destination
80°F
Friday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 17 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Maurer Street

    97 m · 20 sec · Maurer Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West 5th Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · West 5th Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Grand Army of the Republic Highway

    2583 ft · 44 sec · Grand Army of the Republic Highway

  4. 4

    Continue on Rose Avenue

    2.7 mi · 4 min · Rose Avenue

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight

    1468 ft · 36 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    132.7 mi · 2 hr 24 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines

    1 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  9. 9

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

    1580 ft · 39 sec

  10. 10

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

    1740 ft · 45 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue

    1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto East University Avenue

    30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilton 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
13 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Rose Avenue
136 mi · 95%
John MacVicar Freeway
4.01 mi · 3%
West 5th Street
1.11 mi · 1%
I 235 West
0.63 mi
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
0.49 mi
East Village
0.33 mi
Longest Stretch

Rose Avenue

Merge slight left

133 mi · 02h 24m

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
02h 14m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.8 mi
134 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Victor
01h 07m from Wilton
Leave By
2:00 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Wilton and 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 Wilton to Des Moines?

The road trip is about 142.8 miles (229.8 km) and usually takes 02h 14m 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?

Victor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.3 miles from Wilton and 71.5 miles from Des Moines.

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

The direct path is about 134 miles (215.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.8 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 2:00 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.01 one way or $38.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Victor

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Victor, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Victor.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

80 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

105 mi away
418 North Adams Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Wilton and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 133.95 mi (215.57 km).

Wilton

#1 Wilton

City in Muscatine County, Iowa

Population2,800
Coordinates41.5889200, -91.0168200
Altitude207
CountryUnited States
Des Moines

#2 Des Moines

The capital of Iowa.

Population212,312
Coordinates41.6005400, -93.6091100
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Start: Maurer Street (-91.016916, 41.58892)
End: East University Avenue (-93.609114, 41.600425)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 230 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.04 gal
19.08 L · about $19.01
Round trip
$38.01
10.08 gal · 38.16 L
Estimated CO2
44.8 kg one way
Round trip: 89.6 kg / 198 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.01 $38.01
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.44 $42.87
Premium $4.65 $23.46 $46.91
Diesel $5.30 $26.73 $53.46

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Wilton and Des Moines. The current time is 09:05:43.

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.