Origin
Des Moines, IA
Morning in Des Moines on Thursday
Local time
10:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Moines, IA to Eagle Grove, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 53m
Distance
93.8 mi
151 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 45m
★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
1h 59m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 9m
8 PM
1h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Eagle Grove, IA
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
This straightforward 93.8-mile drive from Des Moines to Eagle Grove, Iowa, is easily manageable as a day trip, taking just under 2 hours. Predominantly highway, you'll spend about 88% of your time on main roads like I-35 and US-20. The estimated fuel cost is around $14, making it an economical journey. This route stays within the Midwest, offering a consistent driving experience as you head north. With no designated stops in the data, you have the flexibility to make spontaneous breaks or push through to your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.9 miles from Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 93.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 93.8-mile trip. You'll primarily be on I-35 and US-20, which are designed for efficiency. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 54.3 miles on I-35, allowing for sustained cruising. While the route is predominantly highway, the inclusion of Stagecoach Road suggests a brief transition to a more local road experience closer to Eagle Grove. Overall, this drive offers a predictable and fast-paced journey through the heart of Iowa.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 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.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Des Moines, IA to Eagle Grove, IA is easy. At 1h 53m 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 Eagle Grove, 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 | — | — |
| US 20 West | — | — |
| IA 17 North | — | — |
| Stagecoach Road | — | — |
| 220th Street | — | — |
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 Eagle Grove, 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
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
6
Continue straight
54 mi
·
59 min
7
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge
0.3 mi
·
57 sec
·
US 20 West: Fort Dodge
8
Merge slight left
17 mi
·
19 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward IA 17 North
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
IA 17 North
10
Turn right onto Stagecoach Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Stagecoach Road
11
At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
220th Street
12
Turn right onto Stagecoach Road
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Stagecoach Road
13
Continue on State Highway 17
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 17
14
Continue on South Commercial Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Commercial Avenue
15
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
30 ft
·
1 sec
·
West Broadway Street
16
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
With a total duration of only 1 hour and 53 minutes, this trip from Des Moines to Eagle Grove is perfect for a spontaneous outing. You can easily depart at your convenience, whether it's a morning start to maximize your day or an afternoon departure. The estimated fuel cost of $14 is minimal, so you won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops. Given the relatively short distance and the longest stretch being 54.3 miles on I-35, pacing isn't a major concern, but keep an eye on road conditions, especially if traveling during inclement weather.
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 46.9 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 56m 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 21 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.9 miles or 56m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Eagle Grove, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Des Moines, IA
This is one driving day of about 93.8 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Des Moines, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 46.9 mi from Des Moines, IA · 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 46.9 miles from Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Eagle Grove, IA
The final approach into Eagle Grove, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.66 one way
$29.33 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.10 | $32.20 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.05 | $36.10 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.71 | $41.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.1 | 0 | $9.85 | $4.50 |
| Efficient EV | 23.5 | 0 | $8.21 | $3.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.5 | 0 | $13.13 | $6.00 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Eagle Grove, IA
Morning in Eagle Grove on Thursday
Local time
10:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°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
19 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
1h 53m 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 Eagle Grove, IA covers 93.8 miles and takes about 1h 53m 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 46.9 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 $14.66 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.
The drive from Des Moines, IA to Eagle Grove, IA is easy. At 1h 53m 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 Eagle Grove, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Des Moines, IA to Eagle Grove, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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