Des Moines to Mount Pleasant is 134.6 miles and takes about 2 hours 43 minutes via East University Avenue and US 34 Business, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, specifically within Iowa, making it a straightforward drive. Expect a local feel with several turns as you navigate through towns and backroads. With a recommended single day for this drive, you'll have plenty of flexibility to depart when you're ready and arrive with time to spare.
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
67.3 miles from Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East University Avenue
128.2 mi
2h 34m
US 34 Business
4.4 mi
7m
Northeast University Avenue
1.8 mi
2m
South White Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
East University Avenue
— 128.2 mi, about 2h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines, IA and Mount Pleasant, IA.
1
Start on East University Avenue
481 ft·39 sec·East University Avenue
2
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
9.1 mi·16 min·East University Avenue
3
Continue on IA 163
1.8 mi·2 min·Northeast University Avenue
4
Continue on IA 163
119 mi·2 hr 17 min·East University Avenue
5
Take the exit onto US 34 Business
4.4 mi·7 min·US 34 Business
Exit 229Toward US 34 Business East: Mount Pleasant, Westwood
6
Turn right onto South White Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·South White Street
7
Arrive at destination
South White Street
Trip Plan
Since this 2 hour and 43 minute drive is easily completed in a single day, you have the luxury of a flexible departure. Aim to leave Des Moines after morning rush hour to avoid any local congestion. The route has one recommended stop, so plan to break up your journey about halfway through to stretch your legs. Given the significant portion of the drive on local roads, keep an eye out for speed limit changes as you pass through smaller communities. Your estimated fuel cost is around $21, so ensure you have enough for the trip.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.3 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.2 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 30 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.3 miles or 1h 23m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Pleasant, 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 134.6 miles and 2h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 East University Avenue for about 128.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
3 of 3
3 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 134.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|East University Avenue
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
130 mi into trip|~2h 36m in|US 34 Business
Take the exit onto US 34 Business toward US 34 Business East: Mount Pleasant, Westwood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 229
Toward US 34 Business East: Mount Pleasant, Wes...
4
134.4 mi into trip|~2h 43m in|South White Street
Turn right onto South White Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.04 one way
$42.09 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.10
$46.21
premium
$4.89
$25.90
$51.81
diesel
$5.61
$29.72
$59.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
11 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Kum & Go - Tesla Supercharger
Des Moines, IA
Tesla
8 DCFC
Hy-Vee - Tesla Supercharger
Mt. Pleasant, IA
Tesla
8 DCFC
Kum & Go - Tesla Supercharger
Altoona, IA
Tesla
6 DCFC
300mlk
Des Moines, IA
CHARGELAB
4 DCFC
4605 Fleur Dr
Des Moines, IA
CHARGELAB
4 DCFC
2930 SE 14th St
Des Moines, IA
CHARGELAB
4 DCFC
2540 E Euclid Ave
Des Moines, IA
CHARGELAB
4 DCFC
3590 Prairie Fire NW
Altoona, IA
CHARGELAB
4 DCFC
CHARGELAB: 7
Tesla: 3
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.4
0
$14.13
$6.46
Efficient EV
33.7
0
$11.78
$5.38
EV Truck/SUV
53.8
0
$18.84
$8.61
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Afternoon
in Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
3:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Mount Pleasant, IA
Afternoon
in Mount Pleasant on Saturday
Local time
3:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
22 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
2h 43m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is best described as a turn-heavy local drive, with only about 33% of the journey on highways. The longest stretch you'll experience without a significant change in direction is 128.2 miles on East University Avenue. You'll likely find yourself navigating through various towns and local roads, so be prepared for frequent adjustments. This isn't a monotonous interstate cruise, but rather a more engaged driving experience that keeps you connected to the landscape.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 7 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East University Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 128.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East University Avenue.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Des Moines, IA to Mount Pleasant, IA is easy. At 2h 43m with 3% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 130 miles (US 34 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.4 miles (South White Street): Navigation decision point.
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.
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Des Moines, IA to Mount Pleasant, IA covers 134.6 miles and takes about 2h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East University Avenue, US 34 Business, Northeast University Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 67.3 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 $21.04 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Des Moines, IA to Mount Pleasant, IA is easy. At 2h 43m with 3% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East University Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 130 miles (US 34 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.4 miles (South White Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Des Moines, IA to Mount Pleasant, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
