Origin
Des Moines, IA
Night in Des Moines on Friday
Local time
9:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Moines, IA to Hamburg, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 14m
Distance
177 mi
285 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 3m
★
6 AM
3h 15m
8 AM
3h 38m
10 AM
3h 23m
12 PM
3h 21m
3 PM
3h 24m
5 PM
3h 37m
8 PM
3h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Hamburg, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Des Moines to Hamburg is 177 miles and takes about 3 hours 14 minutes via I 80 and I 29, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, specifically within Iowa, making it a straightforward trip between two points in the same region. With nearly all of the journey on highways, expect a focused, efficient travel experience. It's a good option if you need to get from Des Moines to Hamburg without much fuss, and the short duration makes it easily manageable in a single day.
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
88.5 miles from Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 177 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 98% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 80, including a continuous stretch of 118.3 miles. The route primarily follows I 80 before transitioning to I 29, which means you'll encounter high-speed driving for most of the trip. This profile suggests a direct and uninterrupted journey, ideal for covering ground efficiently rather than for scenic exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 118.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 29. You will hit about 11 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.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 177 miles you will encounter 11 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 11 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
6
104.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
|
I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebrask...
7
128.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 29 South: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4A
Toward I 29 South: Kansas City
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 Hamburg, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Omaha Nebraska along the way.
Omaha Nebraska
104.6 mi in
|
~1h 55m
|
via I 80
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 118.3 mi | 2h 7m |
| I 29 | 46.1 mi | 49m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 9 mi | 11m |
| State Highway 333 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East University Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Pennsylvania Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 118.3 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines, IA and Hamburg, 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
95 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
23 mi
·
25 min
·
I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
9
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Exit 4A
Toward I 29 South: Kansas City
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 29
46 mi
·
49 min
·
I 29
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward IA 333: Hamburg
12
Turn left onto IA 333; CR J64
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
310 Street
13
Continue on IA 333; CR J64
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 333
14
Continue on IA 333
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Street
15
Turn left onto Main Street
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
Main Street
16
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 3-hour 14-minute drive time, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure. Leaving Des Moines in the morning will get you to Hamburg well before evening. Since the longest stretch between services is 118.3 miles on I 80, it's wise to ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. While there's only one recommended stop, keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the transition from I 80 to I 29, as it's a good point to assess your needs.
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 88.5 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.3 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 39 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.5 miles or 1h 38m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hamburg, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Des Moines, 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 Des Moines, IA
This is one driving day of about 177 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Des Moines, 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 80 for about 118.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 88.5 mi from Des Moines, IA · 1h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 88.5 miles from Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.3 miles.
Arriving in Hamburg, IA
The final approach into Hamburg, 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 Hamburg, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.67 one way
$55.34 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.38 | $60.77 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.06 | $68.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.08 | $78.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.1 | 0 | $18.59 | $8.50 |
| Efficient EV | 44.3 | 0 | $15.49 | $7.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.8 | 0 | $24.78 | $11.33 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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
Hamburg, IA
Night in Hamburg on Friday
Local time
9:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Avoca, IA
89 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 14m 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 Hamburg, IA covers 177 miles and takes about 3h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, I 29, 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 88.5 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 $27.67 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 177 miles you will encounter 11 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 Hamburg, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Omaha Nebraska along the way.
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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