Trip from Des Moines, IA to Springville, IA

Drive Time

2h 41m

Distance

132.5 mi

213 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Des Moines, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Springville, IA

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Des Moines to Springville, you are looking at a 132.5-mile journey across the Iowa heartland. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 41 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. You will navigate via Northeast Hubbell Road, 73rd Street, and sections of the historic Lincoln Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of just $20, it is an affordable way to cross the state. Since both locations are firmly within the Midwest, the drive offers a consistent regional feel throughout. It is a straightforward trip that provides plenty of flexibility for your schedule.

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

66.3 miles from Des Moines, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless highway cruise. Only 13% of this route takes place on major highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your time on smaller, more interactive roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 37-mile segment along the Lincoln Highway. Because the route relies so heavily on local connections, you should be prepared for frequent changes in road conditions and navigation. This is a drive that requires your full attention, as it shifts away from the monotony of the interstate to provide a more engaged, hands-on experience behind the wheel.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Lincoln Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 37 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East University Avenue.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 132.5 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway 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 5.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | East University Avenue

Turn uturn onto East University Avenue

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

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 mi into trip | ~8m in

Take the exit toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport

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 137A-B Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council B...

5.4 mi into trip | ~8m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 East: Davenport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 137A Toward I 80 East: Davenport

9.1 mi into trip | ~13m in | US 65

Take the exit onto US 65 toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 142 Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Ma...

Towns Along This Route

Between Des Moines, IA and Springville, IA, road signs point toward Bondurant and Marion.

Bondurant

9.1 mi in | ~13m | via US 65

Marion

108.5 mi in | ~2h 10m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Lincoln Highway	37 mi	42m
Northeast Hubbell Road	33.5 mi	39m
73rd Street	26.8 mi	30m
IA 100	9.4 mi	11m
Collins Road Northeast	5.9 mi	7m
Marion Airport Road	5.7 mi	6m
I 80	3.4 mi	3m
John MacVicar Freeway	3.3 mi	4m

Longest stretch: Lincoln Highway — 37 mi, about 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines, IA and Springville, IA.

Start on East University Avenue

481 ft · 39 sec · East University Avenue

Turn uturn onto East University Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · East University Avenue

Turn right onto US 69

0.4 mi · 57 sec · East 14th Street

Take the ramp

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet

Merge onto I 235

3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Exit 137A-B Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Exit 137A Toward I 80 East: Davenport Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 80

3.4 mi · 3 min · I 80

Use the none lane.

Take the exit onto US 65

0.5 mi · 1 min · US 65

Exit 142 Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto US 65; IA 330

1.2 mi · 1 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

Continue on US 65; IA 330

33 mi · 39 min · Northeast Hubbell Road

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Merge onto US 30

37 mi · 42 min · Lincoln Highway

Continue on US 30

27 mi · 30 min · 73rd Street

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min

Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

Continue on IA 100

9.4 mi · 11 min · IA 100

Keep slight right at fork onto IA 100

5.9 mi · 7 min · Collins Road Northeast

Turn left onto US 151; IA 13

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 151; IA 13

Turn right onto US 151

5.7 mi · 6 min · Marion Airport Road

Turn left onto CR X20

509 ft · 10 sec · Springville Road

Continue on CR X20

0.2 mi · 24 sec · 6th Street

Turn right onto CR X20

0.2 mi · 25 sec · 1st Avenue

Turn left onto CR X20

0.4 mi · 39 sec · Broadway Street

Turn right onto John Street

202 ft · 10 sec · John Street

Turn right onto Water Street

56 ft · 2 sec · Water Street

Arrive at destination

Water Street

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour and 41-minute duration, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without feeling rushed. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, especially since the turn-heavy nature of the route can be more tiring than a straight highway shot. Since you only need about $20 for fuel, it is wise to top off your tank before leaving Des Moines to avoid searching for stations on smaller local roads. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between Northeast Hubbell Road and the Lincoln Highway to ensure you stay on track. The modest length of this drive gives you the freedom to depart whenever suits your itinerary best.

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 66.3 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 21m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37 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 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 66.3 miles or 1h 21m 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 10m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springville, 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 132.5 miles and 2h 41m.

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 Lincoln Highway for about 37 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 66.3 mi from Des Moines, IA · 1h 21m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cedar Falls, IA

66 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

Waterloo, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waterloo, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 66.3 miles from Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Springville, IA

The final approach into Springville, 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 Springville, 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

$20.13 one way

$40.25 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 46 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$22.19	$44.37
premium	$4.80	$25.01	$50.03
diesel	$5.64	$29.44	$58.87

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 46.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	39.8	$13.91	$6.36
Efficient EV	33.1	$11.59	$5.30
EV Truck/SUV	53	$18.55	$8.48

Gas CO2

46 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (65% 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Des Moines, IA

Afternoon in Des Moines on Sunday

Local time

2:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Springville, IA

Afternoon in Springville on Sunday

Local time

2:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°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

5 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 41m 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 Springville, IA covers 132.5 miles and takes about 2h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Lincoln Highway, Northeast Hubbell Road, 73rd Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 66.3 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 $20.13 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.

Between Des Moines, IA and Springville, IA, road signs point toward Bondurant and Marion.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Des Moines, IA or browse trips ending in Springville, IA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.

Explore maps for Des Moines, IA or Springville, IA on MapSof.net.

Trip from Des Moines, IA to Springville, IA

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Springville, IA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Des Moines, IA

Springville, IA

Same local time

5 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 41m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Springville, IA

More from Des Moines, IA

More trips to Springville, IA