Origin
Des Moines, IA
Afternoon in Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
2:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Moines, IA to Iowa Falls, IA
Drive Time
1h 37m
Distance
82.3 mi
132 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Iowa Falls, IA
Ali Soheil
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick getaway from Des Moines to Iowa Falls, you are looking at an efficient 82.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 37 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination with minimal time behind the wheel. You can expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the round trip, making it an affordable excursion within the Midwest. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, you do not need to worry about splitting the travel over multiple days. It serves as a practical connection between these two Iowa locations, offering a direct path for those prioritizing speed and simplicity over complex navigation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
41.1 miles from Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient commute, as 96% of this trip is spent on highways. Your journey relies on a combination of I-35, US-20, and US-65 to get you to your destination. The most significant portion of your time on the road will be the 54-mile stretch along I-35, which provides a consistent, steady pace. Since this is a highway-focused drive, the experience is defined by predictable, high-speed travel rather than technical turns or winding backroads. Once you transition off the interstate onto US-20 and US-65, the character of the road remains functional and direct, ensuring you reach Iowa Falls without unnecessary detours.
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.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 54 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 20. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East University Avenue.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 37m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East University Avenue
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STree...
5
1.8 mi into trip
|
~4m 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 none lane.
4
60.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
Take the exit toward US 20 East: Waterloo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
5
76.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 65: Iowa Falls, Hubbard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 65: Iowa Falls, Hubbard
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Des Moines, IA to Iowa Falls, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Hubbard along the way.
Hubbard
76.2 mi in
|
~1h 27m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 54 mi | 58m |
| US 20 | 15.1 mi | 17m |
| US 65 | 5.1 mi | 8m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| East University Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Rocksylvania Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East 14th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Commercial Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 54 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines, IA and Iowa Falls, IA.
1
Start on East University Avenue
481 ft
·
39 sec
·
East University Avenue
2
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East University Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 69
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
East 14th Street
4
Take the ramp
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet
5
Merge onto I 235
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on I 35
54 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
8
Merge onto US 20
15 mi
·
17 min
·
US 20
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Toward US 65: Iowa Falls, Hubbard
10
Turn left onto US 65
5.1 mi
·
8 min
·
US 65
11
Turn right onto Rocksylvania Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Rocksylvania Avenue
12
Turn left onto Commercial Street
331 ft
·
9 sec
·
Commercial Street
13
Arrive at destination
Commercial Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the 82.3-mile trip in one go without needing to schedule formal stops, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always a smart move given the $13 estimated cost. Since the route involves significant highway miles, stay alert during the 54-mile stretch on I-35 where traffic speeds will be at their highest. Being a direct, interstate-heavy route, it is best to check for any major construction or traffic delays on I-35 before you head out. Embracing the simplicity of this quick trip allows you to spend less time driving and more time enjoying your destination.
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 41.1 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.1 miles or 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Iowa Falls, 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 82.3 miles and 1h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Des Moines, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 54 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.1 mi from Des Moines, IA · 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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
Arriving in Iowa Falls, IA
The final approach into Iowa Falls, 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 Iowa Falls, 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
$12.50 one way
$25.00 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $13.78 | $27.56 |
| premium | $4.80 | $15.54 | $31.07 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.28 | $36.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.7 | 0 | $8.64 | $3.95 |
| Efficient EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.20 | $3.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.9 | 0 | $11.52 | $5.27 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Iowa Falls, IA
Afternoon in Iowa Falls on Sunday
Local time
2:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°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
1h 37m 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 Iowa Falls, IA covers 82.3 miles and takes about 1h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, US 20, US 65. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.1 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 $12.50 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 straightforward 1h 37m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East University Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Des Moines, IA to Iowa Falls, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Hubbard along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Iowa Falls, IA
Explore more options from Des Moines, IA or browse trips ending in Iowa Falls, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Des Moines, IA or Iowa Falls, IA on MapSof.net.