Origin
Des Moines, IA
Evening in Des Moines on Wednesday
Local time
7:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Moines, IA to Buffalo (historical), IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
53m
Distance
38.7 mi
62 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 49m
★
6 AM
0h 53m
8 AM
1h 2m
10 AM
0h 56m
12 PM
0h 55m
3 PM
0h 56m
5 PM
1h 1m
8 PM
0h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Buffalo (historical), IA
Karolina
Trip Overview
This short, 38.7-mile drive from Des Moines to Buffalo (historical), Iowa, is easily manageable in about 53 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily navigate North Avenue and segments of I-80 and John MacVicar Freeway, with 55% of the journey on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of just $6, this is an economical excursion through the Midwest. Since there are no recommended stops and the drive is so brief, you'll have plenty of flexibility in your schedule. This route offers a straightforward way to connect two points within Iowa, ideal for a quick getaway.
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
19.3 miles from Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, blending highway speeds with local road segments. Over half the journey, 55%, will be on the interstate, offering a faster pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 13.8 miles on North Avenue, providing a substantial period of consistent driving. As you transition between North Avenue, I-80, and John MacVicar Freeway, you'll notice changes in the road's environment and traffic flow. This variety means you won't be stuck in a monotonous highway grind for the entire trip.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 13.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East University Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 38.7 miles you will encounter 9 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 (East University Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.2 miles (Pennsylvania Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East University Avenue
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Pennsylvania Avenue
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I-235 west
Navigation decision point
Toward I-235 west
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Merge onto I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
9.8 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Des Moines, IA to Buffalo (historical), IA, road signs begin pointing toward Winterset along the way.
Winterset
21.9 mi in
|
~26m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Avenue | 13.8 mi | 20m |
| I 80 | 12.1 mi | 13m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 9 mi | 11m |
| Clark Tower Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Guthrie Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| East University Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Pennsylvania Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East 6th Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North Avenue
— 13.8 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines, IA and Buffalo (historical), IA.
1
Start on East University Avenue
481 ft
·
39 sec
·
East University Avenue
2
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
East University Avenue
3
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
4
Continue on East 6th Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
East 6th Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I-235 west
6
Merge onto I 235
9.0 mi
·
11 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 80
12 mi
·
13 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Toward US 169, US 6: Adel, Winterset
9
Turn left onto US 6; US 169
481 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Avenue
10
Continue on US 6; US 169
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Guthrie Street
11
Continue on US 169
14 mi
·
20 min
·
North Avenue
12
Continue on CR P71
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Clark Tower Road
13
Turn left onto CR G50
343 ft
·
10 sec
·
St Charles Road
14
Turn right onto Maple Lane
195 ft
·
8 sec
·
Maple Lane
15
Arrive at destination
Maple Lane
Trip Plan
Given the short 53-minute duration, this route is best tackled in a single go, offering maximum flexibility for departure times. Aim to leave Des Moines when you feel most ready, as the drive is brief and doesn't necessitate early morning starts. Plan for minimal stops; with only 38.7 miles, you likely won't need a fuel or rest break. Keep an eye on local traffic conditions as you depart Des Moines, particularly if you're heading out during peak hours. The low fuel cost of around $6 means you can focus on enjoying the journey without significant budget concerns.
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 19.3 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.8 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 38.7 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19.3 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buffalo (historical), IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Des Moines, IA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Des Moines, IA
This is one driving day of about 38.7 miles and 53m.
At 38.7 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on North Avenue for about 13.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.3 mi from Des Moines, IA · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 38.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.3 miles from Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Buffalo (historical), IA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Buffalo (historical), 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
$6.05 one way
$12.10 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.64 | $13.29 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.45 | $14.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.54 | $17.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.6 | 0 | $4.06 | $1.86 |
| Efficient EV | 9.7 | 0 | $3.39 | $1.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.5 | 0 | $5.42 | $2.48 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Buffalo (historical), IA
Evening in Buffalo (historical) on Wednesday
Local time
7:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°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
6 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
53m 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 Des Moines, IA to Buffalo (historical), IA covers 38.7 miles and takes about 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Avenue, I 80, John MacVicar Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.3 miles from Des Moines, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.05 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 38.7 miles you will encounter 9 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 (East University Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.2 miles (Pennsylvania Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles: Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Des Moines, IA to Buffalo (historical), IA, road signs begin pointing toward Winterset along the way.
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