Origin
Cresco, IA
Afternoon in Cresco on Sunday
Local time
4:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cresco, IA to Des Moines, IA
Drive Time
3h 4m
Distance
189.1 mi
304 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 53m
★
6 AM
3h 5m
8 AM
3h 28m
10 AM
3h 13m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cresco, IA
DS stories
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Cresco, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 189.1 miles and takes about 3h 4m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 3rd Street West, 3rd Street Southwest, 2nd Avenue Southwest for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.72 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
94.6 miles from Cresco, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 4m drive with frequent turns across 189.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
3rd Street West 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 Cresco, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 3h 4m 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 Cresco, IA to Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd Street West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 3rd Street Southwest | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 2nd Avenue Southwest | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 9 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 18 east | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Avenue of the Saints | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
3rd Street West
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cresco, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on 8th Avenue East
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
8th Avenue East
2
Turn left onto 3rd Street West
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Street West
3
Continue on 3rd Street Southwest
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
3rd Street Southwest
4
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue Southwest
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Avenue Southwest
5
Continue on State Highway 9
21 mi
·
28 min
·
State Highway 9
6
Continue on East Main Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
7
Continue on Highway 9
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 9
8
Continue on State Highway 9
12 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 9
9
Turn left
11 mi
·
15 min
10
Take the ramp left toward US 18 east, IA 27 north: Mason City
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
US 18 east, IA 27 north: Mason City
11
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
31 mi
·
35 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
12
Take the exit slight left toward I 35 South: Des Moines
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35 South: Des Moines
13
Continue on I 35 South: Des Moines
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
I 35 South: Des Moines
14
Merge slight left
103 mi
·
1 hr 50 min
15
Keep slight left to continue on I 235 West: Des Moines
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 235 West: Des Moines
16
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
17
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
18
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
19
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
20
Turn left onto East University Avenue
98 ft
·
9 sec
·
East University Avenue
21
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 94.6 miles from Cresco, IA, or about 1h 32m 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 80 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.6 miles or 1h 32m 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 31m
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 Cresco, 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 Cresco, IA
This is one driving day of about 189.1 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cresco, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 94.6 mi from Cresco, IA · 1h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 94.6 miles from Cresco, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.72 one way
$57.44 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $31.66 | $63.33 |
| premium | $4.80 | $35.70 | $71.40 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $42.01 | $84.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.7 | 0 | $19.86 | $9.08 |
| Efficient EV | 47.3 | 0 | $16.55 | $7.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.6 | 0 | $26.47 | $12.10 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
Des Moines, IA
Afternoon in Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
4:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 4m 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 Cresco, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 189.1 miles and takes about 3h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 3rd Street West, 3rd Street Southwest, 2nd Avenue Southwest. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 94.6 miles from Cresco, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.72 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Cresco, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 3h 4m 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 Cresco, IA to Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Cresco, IA to Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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