Des Moines, IA Road Trips
Des Moines, IA serves as a quiet starting point in the Midwest, connecting drivers to 20 outbound routes across the area. Most drives stay under 115 miles, making this area well-suited for day trips and weekend getaways. Routes from Des Moines, IA spread mainly east and west, covering a wide geographic range.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
58
Longest Drive
244.4 mi
George, IA
Quickest Drive
12m
Saylorville, IA
Plan Around Des Moines, IA
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Des Moines, IA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Des Moines, IA
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Des Moines, IA
Des Moines, IA to Osceola County, IA
Des Moines, IA to Bellevue, IA
Des Moines, IA to Sioux City, IA
Des Moines, IA to Fort Madison, IA
Des Moines, IA to Carter Lake, IA
Des Moines, IA to Algona, IA
Des Moines, IA to Springville, IA
Des Moines, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Des Moines, IA to Iowa City, IA
Des Moines, IA to Villisca, IA
Des Moines, IA to Garner, IA
Des Moines, IA to Bloomfield, IA
Des Moines, IA to Eagle Grove, IA
Des Moines, IA to Avoca, IA
Des Moines, IA to Audubon, IA
Des Moines, IA to Iowa Falls, IA
Des Moines, IA to Atlantic, IA
Des Moines, IA to Albia, IA
Driving from Des Moines, IA
On average, trips departing from Des Moines, IA run 115 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 18m. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 230 miles (4h 45m), while the shortest is just 9 miles.
Popular Destinations
Drivers leaving Des Moines, IA most often head toward Osceola County, IA (229.7 mi, 4h 45m), Bellevue, IA (206.3 mi, 4h 12m), Sioux City, IA (198.6 mi, 3h 39m), Fort Madison, IA (174.8 mi, 3h 32m), and Carter Lake, IA (137.8 mi, 2h 37m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in IA currently averages around $3.77 per gallon. For the typical 115-mile trip from Des Moines, IA, budget about $17 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
Routes tend to go east, so afternoon departures put the sun at your back on the return leg. With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 20 mapped routes leaving Des Moines, IA and 38 routes heading into Des Moines, IA, covering 58 total connections. Distances range from 9 to 230 miles.
The longest mapped route from Des Moines, IA covers 230 miles and takes approximately 4h 45m. Shorter options start at just 9 miles.
The average route from Des Moines, IA runs about 115 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 18m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.77/gallon for regular), the average 115-mile trip from Des Moines, IA costs roughly $17 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Des Moines, IA include Osceola County, IA, Bellevue, IA, Sioux City, IA and Fort Madison, IA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Short Drives from Des Moines, IA
Trips to Des Moines, IA
George, IA to Des Moines, IA
Osceola County, IA to Des Moines, IA
Le Mars, IA to Des Moines, IA
Bellevue, IA to Des Moines, IA
Sioux City, IA to Des Moines, IA
Dubuque, IA to Des Moines, IA
Cherokee, IA to Des Moines, IA
Fort Madison, IA to Des Moines, IA
Davenport, IA to Des Moines, IA
Manchester, IA to Des Moines, IA
Saint Ansgar, IA to Des Moines, IA
Mechanicsville, IA to Des Moines, IA
Nearby Hubs
Other cities within driving distance of Des Moines, IA that also have route pages.
Browse more IA road trips or choose a route from Des Moines, IA above.