Distance Guide
How far is Des Moines from Iowa City?
The distance between Des Moines, IA and Iowa City, IA is about 108 miles — roughly a 1 hr 58 min drive at typical highway speeds.
Distance
108 mi
Drive time
1 hr 58 min
Midpoint
41.624°, -92.578°
Driving from Des Moines to Iowa City
Most drivers cover the 108-mile route in about 1 hr 58 min, depending on traffic, weather, and stops. The fair midpoint — a natural place to break the trip or meet someone driving from the other direction.
Meet in the middle instead of driving the whole way
If you and a friend are both making this trip just to see each other, meeting halfway saves everyone roughly half the drive — about 54 miles each instead of 108. MidMeetup picks the exact fair midpoint and recommends restaurants, coffee shops, and bars nearby.
Categories of meeting spots near the midpoint
- restaurants halfway between Des Moines and Iowa City →
- coffee halfway between Des Moines and Iowa City →
- brunch halfway between Des Moines and Iowa City →
- bars halfway between Des Moines and Iowa City →