Origin
Atlantic, IA
Late night in Atlantic on Saturday
Local time
4:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Atlantic, IA to Des Moines, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 35m
Distance
81.8 mi
132 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 29m
★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 41m
12 PM
1h 40m
3 PM
1h 42m
5 PM
1h 50m
8 PM
1h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Atlantic, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Atlantic, IA to Des Moines, IA is 81.8 miles and takes about 1h 35m via US 6, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward drive stays within the Midwest, taking you across Iowa on a primarily highway-focused path. It's a quick connection between two points in the state, making it ideal for a short trip or a segment of a larger journey. You'll find it to be a practical and efficient route for getting from point A to point B without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.9 miles from Atlantic, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 81.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 87% of the drive on higher-speed roads. You'll experience a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 62 miles on US 6, which forms the backbone of this journey. Expect a consistent pace for much of the drive, characteristic of a Midwestern highway experience. While largely on major roads, there are brief transitions as you navigate between different sections like John MacVicar Freeway and local street designations.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 6 is the longest continuous segment at about 62 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 6 and John MacVicar Freeway. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Chestnut Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Atlantic, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 1h 35m with 87% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Chestnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles (US 6; US 71 / 650th Street): Navigation decision point; at 10 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Chestnut Street
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
Navigation decision point
4
3.6 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 6; US 71 / 650th Street
Turn left onto US 6; US 71 / 650th Street
Navigation decision point
4
10 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
US 6
Take the exit onto US 6
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
8
72 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway toward I 235 East: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123A
Toward I 235 East: Des Moines
8
80.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward East Village, East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 8B
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Pennsylva...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 6 | 62 mi | 1h 7m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 8.9 mi | 11m |
| 650th Street | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| East 7th Street | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| Pennsylvania Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Chestnut Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East University Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 6
— 62 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Atlantic, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on this road
227 ft
·
21 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
266 ft
·
9 sec
·
Chestnut Street
3
Turn right onto US 6; IA 83
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
East 7th Street
4
Turn left onto US 6; US 71
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
650th Street
5
Take the exit onto US 6
62 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
US 6
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 235
8.9 mi
·
11 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
Exit 123A
Toward I 235 East: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 8B
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
8
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
9
Turn left onto East University Avenue
100 ft
·
8 sec
·
East University Avenue
10
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just under two hours, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart at any time of day and still arrive with plenty of daylight. There are no designated stops mentioned, so plan your fuel and rest breaks as needed, keeping in mind the 62-mile stretch on US 6 before any potential services. The fuel cost is estimated at $13, so factor that into your budget. It's a straightforward drive, so focus on enjoying the efficiency of getting to Des Moines.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 40.9 miles from Atlantic, IA, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.9 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Moines, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Atlantic, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Atlantic, IA
This is one driving day of about 81.8 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Atlantic, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 6 for about 62 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.9 mi from Atlantic, IA · 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 40.9 miles from Atlantic, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 6 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62 miles.
Arriving in Des Moines, IA
The final approach into Des Moines, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.79 one way
$25.58 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.04 | $28.08 |
| premium | $4.89 | $15.74 | $31.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.06 | $36.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.5 | 0 | $8.59 | $3.93 |
| Efficient EV | 20.5 | 0 | $7.16 | $3.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.7 | 0 | $11.45 | $5.24 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Des Moines, IA
Late night in Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
4:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 35m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Atlantic, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 81.8 miles and takes about 1h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 6, John MacVicar Freeway, 650th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.9 miles from Atlantic, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.79 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Atlantic, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 1h 35m with 87% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Chestnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles (US 6; US 71 / 650th Street): Navigation decision point; at 10 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Atlantic, IA to Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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