Trip from Des Moines, IA to Iowa Falls, IA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 37m

Distance

82.3 mi

132 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min

4 AM

1h 31m ★

6 AM

1h 38m

8 AM

1h 53m

10 AM

1h 43m

12 PM

1h 42m

3 PM

1h 44m

5 PM

1h 52m

8 PM

1h 33m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Trip Overview

If you are planning a quick getaway from Des Moines to Iowa Falls, you are looking at an efficient 82.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 37 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination with minimal time behind the wheel. You can expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the round trip, making it an affordable excursion within the Midwest. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, you do not need to worry about splitting the travel over multiple days. It serves as a practical connection between these two Iowa locations, offering a direct path for those prioritizing speed and simplicity over complex navigation.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

41.1 miles from Des Moines, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 37m. Total distance: 82.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 37m 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 highly efficient commute, as 96% of this trip is spent on highways. Your journey relies on a combination of I-35, US-20, and US-65 to get you to your destination. The most significant portion of your time on the road will be the 54-mile stretch along I-35, which provides a consistent, steady pace. Since this is a highway-focused drive, the experience is defined by predictable, high-speed travel rather than technical turns or winding backroads. Once you transition off the interstate onto US-20 and US-65, the character of the road remains functional and direct, ensuring you reach Iowa Falls without unnecessary detours.

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

There are about 13 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 Iowa Falls, IA is easy. At 1h 37m 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 Iowa Falls, 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 East	—	—
US 65	—	—
Rocksylvania Avenue	—	—
Commercial 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 Iowa Falls, 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 · 58 min

7

Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East: Waterloo

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 20 East: Waterloo

8

Merge slight left

15 mi · 17 min

9

Take the exit slight right toward US 65: Iowa Falls, Hubbard

0.3 mi · 49 sec · US 65: Iowa Falls, Hubbard

10

Turn left

5.1 mi · 8 min

11

Turn right onto Rocksylvania Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · Rocksylvania Avenue

12

Turn left onto Commercial Street

331 ft · 9 sec · Commercial Street

13

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Because this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the 82.3-mile trip in one go without needing to schedule formal stops, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always a smart move given the $13 estimated cost. Since the route involves significant highway miles, stay alert during the 54-mile stretch on I-35 where traffic speeds will be at their highest. Being a direct, interstate-heavy route, it is best to check for any major construction or traffic delays on I-35 before you head out. Embracing the simplicity of this quick trip allows you to spend less time driving and more time enjoying your destination.

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 41.1 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 48m 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 18 miles or 21m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 41.1 miles or 48m 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 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Iowa Falls, 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 82.3 miles and 1h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 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 41.1 mi from Des Moines, IA · 48m into the drive

city in Story County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ames, IA

41 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

Ankeny, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ames, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 41.1 miles from Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Iowa Falls, IA

The final approach into Iowa Falls, 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

$12.87 one way

$25.73 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$14.13	$28.25
premium	$4.89	$15.84	$31.68
diesel	$5.61	$18.17	$36.34

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 28.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	24.7	$8.64	$3.95
Efficient EV	20.6	$7.20	$3.29
EV Truck/SUV	32.9	$11.52	$5.27

Gas CO2

29 kg

EV CO2

10 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

Morning in Des Moines on Thursday

Local time

8:13 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Iowa Falls, IA

Morning in Iowa Falls on Thursday

Local time

8:13 AM

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

1h 37m 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 Iowa Falls, IA covers 82.3 miles and takes about 1h 37m 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 41.1 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 $12.87 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 Iowa Falls, IA is easy. At 1h 37m 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 Iowa Falls, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

The route from Des Moines, IA to Iowa Falls, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500