Origin
Carlisle, IA
Afternoon in Carlisle on Wednesday
Local time
4:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carlisle, IA to Des Moines, IA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
21m
Distance
14.6 mi
23 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 20m
★
6 AM
0h 21m
8 AM
0h 25m
10 AM
0h 23m
12 PM
0h 22m
3 PM
0h 23m
5 PM
0h 25m
8 PM
0h 20m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carlisle, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Carlisle, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 14.6 miles and takes about 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway, US 69 North, Southridge Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $2.28 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
7.3 miles from Carlisle, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 21m drive with frequent turns across 14.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Carlisle, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 21m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Carlisle, IA to Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | — | — |
| US 69 North | — | — |
| Southridge Boulevard | — | — |
| Southeast 14th Street | — | — |
| Indianola Avenue | — | — |
| Southeast 6th Street | — | — |
| East 6th Street | — | — |
| East Locust Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carlisle, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on North 5th Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North 5th Street
2
Turn right
2.7 mi
·
3 min
3
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
4
Take the exit slight right toward US 69 North: Des Moines
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 69 North: Des Moines
5
Turn straight onto Southridge Boulevard
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Southridge Boulevard
6
Continue on Southeast 14th Street
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Southeast 14th Street
7
Turn slight left onto Indianola Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Indianola Avenue
8
Turn right onto Southeast 6th Street
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast 6th Street
9
Continue on East 6th Street
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
East 6th Street
10
Turn right onto East Locust Street
492 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Locust Street
11
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
12
Turn left onto East University Avenue
98 ft
·
9 sec
·
East University Avenue
13
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 7.3 miles from Carlisle, IA, or about 10m into the drive.
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 14.6 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.3 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Moines, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Carlisle, IA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Carlisle, IA
This is one driving day of about 14.6 miles and 21m.
At 14.6 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.3 mi from Carlisle, IA · 10m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 14.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 7.3 miles from Carlisle, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Des Moines, IA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Des Moines, IA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.28 one way
$4.57 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $2.51 | $5.01 |
| premium | $4.89 | $2.81 | $5.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.22 | $6.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.4 | 0 | $1.53 | $0.70 |
| Efficient EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.28 | $0.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.8 | 0 | $2.04 | $0.93 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Afternoon in Des Moines on Wednesday
Local time
4:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
21m 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 Carlisle, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 14.6 miles and takes about 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway, US 69 North, Southridge Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.3 miles from Carlisle, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.28 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 Carlisle, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 21m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Carlisle, IA to Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Carlisle, IA to Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Des Moines, IA
More from Carlisle, IA
More trips to Des Moines, IA
Explore more options from Carlisle, IA or browse trips ending in Des Moines, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Carlisle, IA or Des Moines, IA on MapSof.net.