Origin
Des Moines, IA
Afternoon in Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Moines, IA to Johnston, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
16m
Distance
9.4 mi
15 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Sparse
1 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 15m
★
6 AM
0h 16m
8 AM
0h 19m
10 AM
0h 17m
12 PM
0h 17m
3 PM
0h 17m
5 PM
0h 19m
8 PM
0h 15m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Johnston, IA
RDNE Stock project
Trip Overview
This short, 9.4-mile journey from Des Moines to Johnston, Iowa, is easily manageable in just 16 minutes, making it a perfect one-day trip. Expect a minimal fuel cost of around $1 for this drive. The route primarily utilizes I-80, 2nd Avenue, and Merle Hay Road, offering a practical way to navigate between these two Midwest locations within the same state. Given its brevity, there's no need to consider an overnight stay; you can comfortably complete this trip and return on the same day, allowing for plenty of flexibility in your schedule.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| 2nd Avenue | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Merle Hay Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Northwest 2nd Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East University Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 3.3 mi, about 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines, IA and Johnston, IA.
1
Start on East University Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East University Avenue
2
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
2nd Avenue
3
Continue on IA 415
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Northwest 2nd Street
4
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 35 South, I 80 West
5
Merge onto I 80; I 35
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
I 80; I 35
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 131
Toward IA 28 South: Merle Hay Road, Saylorville Lake
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn right onto Merle Hay Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Merle Hay Road
8
Arrive at destination
Merle Hay Road
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 55 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
2nd Avenue
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Turn left toward I 35 South, I 80 West
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 South, I 80 West
3
4.4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 80; I 35
Merge onto I 80; I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining
8
7.7 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward IA 28 South: Merle Hay Road, Saylorville Lake
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 131
Toward IA 28 South: Merle Hay Road, Saylorville...
3
8 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
Merle Hay Road
Turn right onto Merle Hay Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.47 one way
$2.94 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
3 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $1.61 | $3.23 |
| premium | $4.89 | $1.81 | $3.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.08 | $4.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$1
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.8 | 0 | $0.99 | $0.45 |
| Efficient EV | 2.4 | 0 | $0.82 | $0.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.8 | 0 | $1.32 | $0.60 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 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
Johnston, IA
Afternoon in Johnston on Saturday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
16m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a mixed drive, with about 35% of the route on highways. You'll experience a 3.3-mile stretch on I-80, which is the longest uninterrupted segment of this trip. The character of the drive will likely shift from interstate cruising to more local road navigation as you approach your destination. Expect a straightforward driving experience without significant topographical changes or complex road maneuvers.
35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
8 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 3.3 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near 2nd Avenue.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 16m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.4 miles (I 80; I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Johnston, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Saylorville Lake along the way.
Saylorville Lake
7.7 mi in
|
~12m
About the Cities
Starting in Des Moines, IA
Full guide →Des Moines, capital of Iowa, is in the western region of the American Midwest. Des Moines is the largest city in Iowa and the annual site of the Iowa State Fair and numerous cultural festivals during warm weather months. History enthusiasts will find 110 historic sites in and around the city as part of the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area. The city appeals to travelers with an interest in the arts who marvel at the architecture of the State Capitol with its five domes, including the large main dome with its gleaming 23-karat gold surface. The city has a good art museum, a symphony that performs in the downtown Civic Center (along with opera, ballet, and other performing arts), and a big annual arts festival that draws visitors from across Iowa and beyond.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 16m. Total distance: 9.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (35%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 3.3 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.4 miles (I 80; I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Johnston, IA before heading back.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Johnston, IA
Explore more options from Des Moines, IA or browse trips ending in Johnston, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.