Trip from Des Moines, IA to Manson, IA

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

2h 19m

Distance

118.3 mi

190 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

26 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min

4 AM

2h 10m ★

6 AM

2h 20m

8 AM

2h 39m

10 AM

2h 27m

12 PM

2h 25m

3 PM

2h 28m

5 PM

2h 38m

8 PM

2h 14m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

The drive from Des Moines, IA to Manson, IA covers 118.3 miles and takes about 2h 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 35, US 20, John MacVicar Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 54.3 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.49 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

59.1 miles from Des Moines, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 118.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 19m highway drive covering 118.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and US 20. The longest continuous stretch is about 54.3 miles on I 35.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 17 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 54.3 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.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 19m drive. You will face about 13 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 13 key points

These 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 straight / slight right lanes.

5

117.1 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in | IA 7 / 190th Street

At end of road, turn right onto IA 7 / 190th Street

Navigation decision point

5

118.3 mi into trip | ~2h 19m in | Main Street

Turn right onto Main Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 35	54.3 mi	59m
US 20	50.6 mi	58m
John MacVicar Freeway	4.8 mi	5m
Tabor Avenue	3.5 mi	6m
Sigourney Avenue	1.6 mi	2m
220th Street	0.7 mi	<1m
East University Avenue	0.6 mi	1m
East 14th Street	0.4 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 35 — 54.3 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines, IA and Manson, 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 straight / slight right lanes.

6

Continue on I 35

54 mi · 59 min · I 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 56 sec

Toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge

8

Merge onto US 20

51 mi · 58 min · US 20

9

Turn right onto CR N65

1.6 mi · 2 min · Sigourney Avenue

10

At end of road, turn right onto D26

0.7 mi · 59 sec · 220th Street

11

Turn left onto Tabor Avenue

3.0 mi · 5 min · Tabor Avenue

12

At end of road, turn right onto IA 7

25 ft · 5 sec · 190th Street

13

Turn left onto Tabor Avenue

0.5 mi · 52 sec · Tabor Avenue

14

Continue on 8th Street

0.4 mi · 40 sec · 8th Street

15

Turn right onto 10th Avenue

0.3 mi · 1 min · 10th Avenue

16

Turn right onto Main Street

35 ft · 1 sec · Main Street

17

Arrive at destination

Main Street

Trip Plan

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 59.1 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.3 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 26 miles or 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 59.1 miles or 1h 7m 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 51m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manson, 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 118.3 miles and 2h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Des Moines, IA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 54.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 59.1 mi from Des Moines, IA · 1h 7m into the drive

city in Story County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ames, IA

59 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

Ames, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gilbert, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 59.1 miles from Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Manson, IA

The final approach into Manson, 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 Manson, IA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Olympic Flame Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152434361

Visit website

HoQ Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

0.8 mi

Tumea & Sons Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

1.7 mi

Olympic Flame Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152434361

Visit website

HoQ Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $30 to $50

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 5–9 pm

+15152441213

Visit website

Tumea & Sons Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15152827976

Visit website

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Inexpensiv

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+15152622775

Visit website

Now Or Later Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15152669777

Visit website

Burger Shed Restaurant Altoona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 8.4

Altoona, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15156307433

Visit website

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 33.8

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15154505004

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 76

Webster City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 76

Webster City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 33.8

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 33.8

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 33.8

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 33.8

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 33.8

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 33.8

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 33.8

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.49 one way

$36.99 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$20.31	$40.61
premium	$4.89	$22.77	$45.53
diesel	$5.61	$26.12	$52.24

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 41.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

26 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

Webster City, Iowa

Blink

1 DCFC

Red E Charging Station

Webster City, Iowa

Other

1 DCFC

EV Connect Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

EV Connect

1 DCFC

ChargePoint: 12 Other: 5 Blink: 3 EV Connect: 2 Shell Recharge: 2 Tesla: 1 EVgo: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	35.5	$12.42	$5.68
Efficient EV	29.6	$10.35	$4.73
EV Truck/SUV	47.3	$16.56	$7.57

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Des Moines, IA

Late night in Des Moines on Friday

Local time

12:36 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Manson, IA

Late night in Manson on Friday

Local time

12:36 AM

CDT

Current temp

48°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

4 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 19m 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 Manson, IA covers 118.3 miles and takes about 2h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 35, US 20, 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 59.1 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 $18.49 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 2h 19m drive. You will face about 13 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.

The route from Des Moines, IA to Manson, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Des Moines, IA to Manson, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Manson, IA

Nearby Places

Olympic Flame Restaurant

Olympic Flame Restaurant

HoQ Restaurant

Tumea & Sons Restaurant

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

Now Or Later Restaurant

Burger Shed Restaurant Altoona

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

Red E Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Discover Ames

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Des Moines, IA

Manson, IA

Same local time

4 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 19m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

Continue From Manson, IA

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