Origin
Des Moines, IA
Afternoon in Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
2:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Moines, IA to Osceola County, IA
Drive Time
4h 45m
Distance
229.7 mi
370 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Osceola County, IA
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Traveling from Des Moines to Osceola County covers 229.7 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should plan for a fuel budget of approximately $34 to complete the journey. Navigating through the heart of the Midwest, you will rely primarily on local roads like East University Avenue, East 14th Street, and US 69 rather than high-speed interstates. It is a straightforward trip that rewards drivers who prefer a more relaxed pace over the frantic speed of major highways.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
114.8 miles from Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features zero highway miles, meaning your speed will be dictated by local traffic and road conditions. Because there is no significant uninterrupted stretch—with the longest segment being 0 miles on East University Avenue—you will find yourself navigating constant turns and transitions. This profile creates a unique, hands-on driving experience that feels more like a cross-country local excursion than a standard highway commute. Be prepared for a steady, consistent pace that requires your full attention throughout the entire 229.7-mile trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 92.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and I 35. 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 4h 45m drive. You will face about 14 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 14 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 straight / slight right lanes.
4
60.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge
4
154.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
|
CR M27 / Armstrong Avenue
Turn right onto CR M27 / Armstrong Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 92.8 mi | 1h 47m |
| I 35 | 54.3 mi | 59m |
| US 59 | 13.6 mi | 18m |
| Silver Avenue | 13.5 mi | 19m |
| Roosevelt Avenue | 13 mi | 17m |
| 20th Avenue | 9.2 mi | 12m |
| Armstrong Avenue | 6 mi | 8m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 92.8 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines, IA and Osceola County, 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
93 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
US 20
9
Turn right onto CR M27
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Armstrong Avenue
10
Continue on CR M27
9.2 mi
·
12 min
·
20th Avenue
11
Turn left onto IA 7
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 7
12
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 7
13
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Street
14
Continue on IA 7
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
V Avenue
15
Turn left onto IA 3
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
State Highway 3
16
Turn straight onto IA 3
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
530th Street
17
Turn right onto IA 3
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 3
18
Turn right onto US 59
14 mi
·
18 min
·
US 59
19
Turn left onto US 59; IA 10
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
470th Street
20
Continue on US 59; IA 10
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Silver Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on US 59
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Rerick Avenue
22
Continue on US 59
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Silver Avenue
23
Turn left onto US 18; US 59
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
320th Street
24
Turn right onto US 59
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Roosevelt Avenue
25
Turn right onto 190th Street
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
190th Street
26
Turn left onto Silver Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Silver Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
Silver Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this journey is a turn-heavy local trek, aim for a morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and keep your focus sharp. You have the flexibility to plan around one strategic stop, which helps break up the 4-hour and 45-minute travel time effectively. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $34 estimate assumes consistent driving conditions, and local roads can sometimes impact your vehicle's efficiency. Because the route relies on East University Avenue, East 14th Street, and US 69, ensure your navigation system is set to prioritize these specific roads to avoid unnecessary detours. Staying alert is key, as the high frequency of turns means there is rarely a long, straight stretch to zone out on.
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 114.8 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.8 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.8 miles or 2h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Osceola County, 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 229.7 miles and 4h 45m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 20 for about 92.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 114.8 mi from Des Moines, IA · 2h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 114.8 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 US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92.8 miles.
Arriving in Osceola County, IA
The final approach into Osceola County, 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 Osceola County, 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
$34.89 one way
$69.78 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $38.46 | $76.92 |
| premium | $4.80 | $43.36 | $86.73 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $51.03 | $102.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.9 | 0 | $24.12 | $11.03 |
| Efficient EV | 57.4 | 0 | $20.10 | $9.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.9 | 1 | $32.16 | $14.70 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Osceola County, IA
Afternoon in Osceola County on Sunday
Local time
2:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
47°F
Denison, IA
115 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
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
4h 45m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Osceola County, IA covers 229.7 miles and takes about 4h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 20, I 35, US 59. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 114.8 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 $34.89 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 45m drive. You will face about 14 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 Osceola County, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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