Origin
Dallas Center, IA
Evening in Dallas Center on Wednesday
Local time
6:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dallas Center, IA to Des Moines, IA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
37m
Distance
25.5 mi
41 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 34m
★
6 AM
0h 38m
8 AM
0h 44m
10 AM
0h 40m
12 PM
0h 39m
3 PM
0h 40m
5 PM
0h 44m
8 PM
0h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dallas Center, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking to get from Dallas Center to Des Moines, this 26.2-mile trek is a straightforward journey through the heart of the Iowa Midwest. You can expect to spend about 32 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. With a fuel budget of approximately $4, it is an incredibly cost-effective route for a quick commute or a change of scenery. Since there are no required stops along the way, you have the flexibility to head out whenever your schedule allows. Because both towns are located within the same state and region, you will experience a consistent rural-to-urban transition throughout the drive.
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
12.8 miles from Dallas Center, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged rather than a monotonous interstate haul. You will navigate a series of surface roads, including 13th Street, R Avenue, and the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, which make up the entirety of your 0% highway-share journey. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch on 13th Street is essentially negligible, you should stay alert for frequent turns and intersection changes. This route avoids high-speed freeways, opting instead for a more grounded, local pace that connects the quiet atmosphere of Dallas Center to the busier pulse of Des Moines. It is a technical drive that rewards drivers who prefer staying off the major interstates.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 9.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 6 and John MacVicar Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR R16 / 13th Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
This is a short but busy drive. With 9 decision points packed into just 25.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 37m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR R16 / 13th Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 14.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.5 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR R16 / 13th Street
Turn sharp left onto CR R16 / 13th Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
8
14.3 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward I-35 south, I-80 west
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I-35 south, I-80 west
6
15.5 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
15.8 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
Ramp 72 I
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 I toward I 235 East: West Des Moines, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 72A
Toward I 235 East: West Des Moines, Des Moines
8
24.7 mi into trip
|
~35m 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 | 9.4 mi | 14m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 8.4 mi | 10m |
| R Avenue | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| I 80 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| 13th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Ramp 72 I | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Pennsylvania Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| I 35 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 6
— 9.4 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dallas Center, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on Walnut Street
32 ft
·
10 sec
·
Walnut Street
2
Turn sharp left onto CR R16
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
13th Street
3
Continue on CR R16
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
R Avenue
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 6
9.4 mi
·
14 min
·
US 6
Use the left lane.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I-35 south, I-80 west
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 80; I 35
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 80; I 35
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 I
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
Ramp 72 I
Exit 72A
Toward I 235 East: West Des Moines, Des Moines
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 235
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 8B
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
12
Turn left onto East University Avenue
100 ft
·
8 sec
·
East University Avenue
13
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Trip Plan
Because this is a short 32-minute trip, you have plenty of freedom to plan your departure time around traffic patterns in Des Moines. Since your fuel costs are low at roughly $4, you won't need to worry about complex refueling strategies or long-distance logistics. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of this route means you should pay close attention to your navigation apps as you transition between R Avenue and the Grand Army of the Republic Highway. Since there are no formal stops planned, try to handle any errands or rest breaks before you leave Dallas Center. The simplicity of this drive is its greatest asset, allowing you to focus on the road ahead without the stress of a long-haul itinerary.
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 12.8 miles from Dallas Center, IA, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 9.4 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 25.5 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 12.8 miles or 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 31m
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 Dallas Center, IA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dallas Center, IA
This is one driving day of about 25.5 miles and 37m.
At 25.5 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on US 6 for about 9.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 12.8 mi from Dallas Center, IA · 19m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 25.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 12.8 miles from Dallas Center, 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
$3.99 one way
$7.97 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $4.38 | $8.75 |
| premium | $4.89 | $4.91 | $9.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.63 | $11.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.6 | 0 | $2.68 | $1.22 |
| Efficient EV | 6.4 | 0 | $2.23 | $1.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.2 | 0 | $3.57 | $1.63 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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
Evening in Des Moines on Wednesday
Local time
6:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 10 to 16 mph
13% chance
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
29 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
37m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Dallas Center, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 25.5 miles and takes about 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 6, John MacVicar Freeway, R Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 12.8 miles from Dallas Center, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.99 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.
This is a short but busy drive. With 9 decision points packed into just 25.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 37m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR R16 / 13th Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 14.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.5 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Dallas Center, IA to Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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