Trip from Charles City, 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

2h 46m

Distance

146.4 mi

236 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

2h 35m ★

6 AM

2h 46m

8 AM

3h 8m

10 AM

2h 54m

12 PM

2h 52m

3 PM

2h 55m

5 PM

3h 7m

8 PM

2h 40m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

The drive from Charles City, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 146.4 miles and takes about 2h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 35, Avenue of the Saints, John MacVicar Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 102.7 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.89 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

73.2 miles from Charles City, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 46m. Total distance: 146.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 46m highway drive covering 146.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and Avenue of the Saints. The longest continuous stretch is about 102.7 miles on I 35.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 102.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Avenue of the Saints. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Clark Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 146.4 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Clark Street): Navigation decision point; at 37.9 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 140.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Clark Street

Turn right onto Clark Street

Navigation decision point

5

37.9 mi into trip | ~47m in | I 35

Merge onto I 35

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

5

140.6 mi into trip | ~2h 37m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 235 West: Des Moines

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 235 West: Des Moines

8

145.5 mi into trip | ~2h 44m in

Take the exit toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village

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 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, Ea...

8

145.8 mi into trip | ~2h 44m in

Keep slight right at fork toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Aven...

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 35	102.7 mi	1h 50m
Avenue of the Saints	32.9 mi	37m
John MacVicar Freeway	4 mi	5m
Gilbert Street	2.5 mi	4m
US 218 Business	0.3 mi	<1m
Pennsylvania Avenue	0.3 mi	<1m
Clark Street	0.2 mi	<1m
North Main Street	0.2 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 35 — 102.7 mi, about 1h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Charles City, IA and Des Moines, IA.

1

Start on US 18

31 ft · 2 sec · 4th Avenue

2

Continue on US 18

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Brantingham Street

3

Turn right onto Clark Street

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Clark Street

4

Turn left onto North Main Street

0.2 mi · 38 sec · North Main Street

5

Turn right onto US 218 Business

2.5 mi · 4 min · Gilbert Street

6

Turn straight onto US 218 Business

0.2 mi · 13 sec · 185th Street

7

Take the ramp onto US 218 Business

0.3 mi · 41 sec · US 218 Business

8

Merge onto US 18; US 218; IA 27

33 mi · 37 min · Avenue of the Saints

9

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min

Toward I 35 South: Des Moines

10

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 32 sec · this road

Toward I 35 South: Des Moines

11

Merge onto I 35

103 mi · 1 hr 50 min · I 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

12

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min

Toward I 235 West: Des Moines

13

Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

4.0 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway

Toward I 235 West: Des Moines Use the straight / slight right lanes.

14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Exit 8B Toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village Use the slight right lane.

15

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue Use the slight right lane.

16

Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue

17

Turn left onto East University Avenue

100 ft · 8 sec · East University Avenue

18

Arrive at destination

East University Avenue

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 73.2 miles from Charles City, IA, or about 1h 25m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.7 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 32 miles or 39m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 73.2 miles or 1h 25m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 15m

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 Charles City, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Charles City, IA

This is one driving day of about 146.4 miles and 2h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Charles City, IA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 102.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 73.2 mi from Charles City, IA · 1h 25m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Oakland, IA

73 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

Mason City, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Oakland, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73.2 miles from Charles City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.7 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.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Des Moines, IA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Olympic Flame Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 146.4

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152434361

Visit website

HoQ Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

0.8 mi

Tumea & Sons Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

1.7 mi

Olympic Flame Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 146.4

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152434361

Visit website

HoQ Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $30 to $50 mile 146.4

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 5–9 pm

+15152441213

Visit website

Tumea & Sons Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 146.4

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15152827976

Visit website

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Inexpensiv mile 146.4

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+15152622775

Visit website

Now Or Later Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 146.4

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15152669777

Visit website

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 115

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15154505004

Visit website

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 115

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 115

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 115

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 115

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

Center Grove Orchard

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 125.5

Cambridge, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+15153834354

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.89 one way

$45.78 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$25.13	$50.26
premium	$4.89	$28.17	$56.35
diesel	$5.61	$32.32	$64.65

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	43.9	$15.37	$7.03
Efficient EV	36.6	$12.81	$5.86
EV Truck/SUV	58.6	$20.50	$9.37

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Charles City, IA

Late night in Charles City on Saturday

Local time

12:23 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Des Moines, IA

Late night in Des Moines on Saturday

Local time

12:23 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

2h 46m 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 Charles City, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 146.4 miles and takes about 2h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 35, Avenue of the Saints, John MacVicar Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 73.2 miles from Charles City, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.89 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 146.4 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Clark Street): Navigation decision point; at 37.9 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 140.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

The route from Charles City, 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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Trip from Charles City, IA to Des Moines, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Des Moines, IA

Nearby Places

Olympic Flame Restaurant

Olympic Flame Restaurant

HoQ Restaurant

Tumea & Sons Restaurant

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

Now Or Later Restaurant

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

Tesla Supercharger

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Shell Recharge Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

Discover Ames

Center Grove Orchard

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Charles City, IA

Des Moines, IA

Same local time

3 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 46m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Charles City, IA to Des Moines, IA?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How many breaks should I plan?

How hard is the drive from Charles City, IA to Des Moines, IA?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from Charles City, IA to Des Moines, IA?

How this page is built

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