Origin
Des Moines, IA
Afternoon in Des Moines on Wednesday
Local time
3:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Moines, IA to Camanche, IA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
3h 42m
Distance
192.3 mi
309 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 30m
★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 8m
10 AM
3h 51m
12 PM
3h 49m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 6m
8 PM
3h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Camanche, IA
Heber Vazquez
Trip Overview
The drive from Des Moines, IA to Camanche, IA covers 192.3 miles and takes about 3h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East University Avenue, East 14th Street, US 69 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.06 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
96.1 miles from Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 42m drive with frequent turns across 192.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East University Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Des Moines, IA to Camanche, IA is easy. At 3h 42m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Des Moines, IA to Camanche, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East University Avenue | — | — |
| East 14th Street | — | — |
| US 69 | — | — |
| John MacVicar Freeway | — | — |
| I 35 South | — | — |
| I 80 East | — | — |
| Middle Road | — | — |
| Indiana Avenue | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
East University Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines, IA and Camanche, IA.
1
Start on East University Avenue
482 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 East 14th Street
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
East 14th Street
4
Take the ramp left toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet
5
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
7
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 80 East: Davenport
8
Merge slight left
163 mi
·
2 hr 56 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward Middle Road
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Middle Road
10
At the end of the road, turn left onto Middle Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Middle Road
11
Continue on Middle Road
354 ft
·
7 sec
·
Middle Road
12
Turn straight onto Indiana Avenue
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Indiana Avenue
13
Turn left onto Wells Ferry Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Wells Ferry Road
14
Continue on 240th Avenue
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
240th Avenue
15
Turn right onto Bluff Road
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Bluff Road
16
At the end of the road, turn left onto Great River Road
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Great River Road
17
Keep slight right
4.9 mi
·
7 min
18
Turn right onto 9th Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
9th Street
19
Turn right onto 9th Avenue
325 ft
·
14 sec
·
9th Avenue
20
Turn left onto South Washington Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
South Washington Boulevard
21
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 96.1 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
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 42 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.1 miles or 1h 51m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Camanche, 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 192.3 miles and 3h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 96.1 mi from Des Moines, IA · 1h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 96.1 miles from Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Camanche, IA
The final approach into Camanche, 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 Camanche, 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
$30.06 one way
$60.13 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $33.01 | $66.02 |
| premium | $4.89 | $37.01 | $74.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.46 | $84.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.7 | 0 | $20.19 | $9.23 |
| Efficient EV | 48.1 | 0 | $16.83 | $7.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.9 | 0 | $26.92 | $12.31 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Camanche, IA
Afternoon in Camanche on Wednesday
Local time
3:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°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
2 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
3h 42m 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 Camanche, IA covers 192.3 miles and takes about 3h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East University Avenue, East 14th Street, US 69. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 96.1 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 $30.06 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Des Moines, IA to Camanche, IA is easy. At 3h 42m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Des Moines, IA to Camanche, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Des Moines, IA to Camanche, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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