🗺️CityToCityDistance

Minneapolis to Des Moines Distance

245 miles•394 km•3.7 hours

Driving distance and route information from Minneapolis, United Statesto Des Moines, United States. Compare multiple routes and get detailed travel information.

⭐

FASTEST ROUTE

244.66 mi
(393.75 km)
⏱️3h 41m
Via MN-65 → I-35
MN-65 → I-35
📏 Straight-line distance: 235 miles (378 km)
See crow flies distance →
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Complete Driving Guide: Minneapolis to Des Moines

Essential Route Information

TOTAL DISTANCE
245 mi
394 kilometers
DRIVING TIME
3.7 hours
222 minutes
FUEL ESTIMATE
33 L
$49 cost

📍 Route Overview

Starting PointMinneapolis, Minnesota
DestinationDes Moines, Iowa
Route Options1 available routes
Countries Crossed1 country
Time Zone ChangesCheck local times

🚗 Driving Details

Average Speed106 km/h
Straight-line Distance378 km
Route Efficiency96%
Toll RoadsNo tolls expected
Ferry CrossingsNo ferries

Compare All Routes from Minneapolis to Des Moines

Route TypeDistanceDrive TimeAvg SpeedTolls
⭐ Fastest Route245 mi (394 km)3.7 hours107 km/h❌ No

Complete Journey Overview: Minneapolis to Des Moines

The road journey from Minneapolis to Des Moines spans approximately 245 miles (394 kilometers), making it a medium-distance drive that typically requires 3.7 hours of continuous driving under normal traffic conditions.

This route connects Minnesota, United States with Iowa, United States, traversing through various regions within United States. The journey offers 1 distinct routing options, each with unique advantages in terms of distance, time, or scenic value.

The fastest driving route from Minneapolis to Des Moines follows the MN-65 → I-35 corridor, maintaining an average speed of approximately 106 km/h. This corridor avoids toll roads, keeping out-of-pocket cost limited to fuel and incidentals.

🗺️ Travel Planning Essentials

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Fuel Planning: Expect to use approximately 10 gallons (33 liters) of fuel for this 245 mile journey. Plan fuel stops every 250-300 miles.
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Rest Stops: For safety, plan a 15-minute break every 2 hours of driving. Total journey with breaks: 4.3 hours.
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Best Travel Times: Avoid peak traffic hours (7-9 AM and 5-7 PM) in major cities along your route for optimal travel time.
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Weather Check: Monitor weather conditions along the entire route, especially during winter months or rainy seasons.

💰 Cost Estimation Guide

Fuel Cost (approximate)$34
Toll Costs$0
Vehicle Wear & Tear (total, ~$0.25/mi)$61
Total Trip Cost$95

* Costs are estimates based on average fuel prices and vehicle maintenance. Actual costs may vary.

Alternative Transportation Options

🚗

By Car

3.7 hours

245 miles

✈️

By Plane

0.5 hours flight

378 km direct

🚌

By Bus

4.8 hours

Multiple stops

More routes from Minneapolis

View all distances from Minneapolis →

More routes from Des Moines

View all distances from Des Moines →

Minneapolis to Des Moines - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the driving distance from Minneapolis to Des Moines?
The driving distance from Minneapolis to Des Moines is 245 miles (394 km) by the fastest route, which follows MN-65 → I-35. The straight-line ("as the crow flies") distance is 378 km — driving distances are typically 20-40% longer than straight-line because roads must navigate around terrain and built environment.
How long does it take to drive from Minneapolis to Des Moines?
The drive from Minneapolis to Des Moines takes approximately 3h 41m of continuous driving at an average speed of 106 km/h. With a 15-minute rest stop every two hours, plan on roughly 4.3 hours of total trip time. Add additional time for traffic, weather, or border crossings.
What is the fastest route from Minneapolis to Des Moines?
The fastest driving route from Minneapolis to Des Moines is 245 miles (394 km) via MN-65 → I-35, taking about 3h 41m. This corridor follows the major highway connection between the two cities and is optimized for travel time.
Are there alternative routes from Minneapolis to Des Moines?
The route from Minneapolis to Des Moines is essentially direct — no alternative driving paths offer a meaningfully different distance.
Does the route from Minneapolis to Des Moines include tolls?
No, the fastest driving route from Minneapolis to Des Moines stays on toll-free public roads.
How much fuel does it take to drive from Minneapolis to Des Moines?
A standard car at 30 mpg uses approximately 8 gallons (33 liters) of fuel for the 245-mile (394-km) drive from Minneapolis to Des Moines. At $3.50 per gallon that is roughly $28 in fuel cost; less efficient vehicles or higher local fuel prices will increase this proportionally.
How do I navigate from Minneapolis to Des Moines?
Use the "Open this route in your nav app" buttons above the journey guide to launch turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze. Each link pre-fills Minneapolis as the origin and Des Moines as the destination, so navigation begins as soon as the app opens.