Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Des Moines, IA to Jefferson, IA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 27m

Distance

64.5 mi

104 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 20 min
4 AM
1h 21m ★
6 AM
1h 28m
8 AM
1h 41m
10 AM
1h 32m
12 PM
1h 31m
3 PM
1h 33m
5 PM
1h 40m
8 PM
1h 23m

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
Downtown Des Moines, IA, IA

Des Moines, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Greene County, Iowa, United States

Jefferson, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Des Moines, IA to Jefferson, IA covers 64.5 miles and takes about 1h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway, Northwest Granger Drive, Neola Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 17.7 miles on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.08 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

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

32.2 miles from Des Moines, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 43m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 1h 27m drive with frequent turns across 64.5 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 17.7 miles.

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. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near 2nd Avenue.

Route Complexity 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Des Moines, IA to Jefferson, IA is easy. At 1h 27m with 13% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.4 miles (I 80; I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

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

3
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | 2nd Avenue

Turn right onto 2nd Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
4 mi into trip | ~7m in

Turn left toward I 35 South, I 80 West

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 35 South, I 80 West
5
4.4 mi into trip | ~8m in | I 80; I 35

Merge onto I 80; I 35

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
11.6 mi into trip | ~17m in

Take the exit toward IA 141 West: Urbandale, Grimes

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 127 Toward IA 141 West: Urbandale, Grimes
3
12 mi into trip | ~18m in | IA 141 / Northwest Urbandale Drive

Turn right onto IA 141 / Northwest Urbandale Drive

Navigation decision point

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Des Moines, IA to Jefferson, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Grimes along the way.

Grimes

11.6 mi in | ~17m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway 17.7 mi 24m
Northwest Granger Drive 16.5 mi 19m
Neola Avenue 8.5 mi 11m
I 80 7.3 mi 8m
Southeast Grimes Boulevard 2.6 mi 3m
Northwest 114th Street 2.6 mi 3m
2nd Avenue 2.5 mi 4m
South Elm Street 1.5 mi 2m
Longest stretch: George P. Soumas Memorial Highway — 17.7 mi, about 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on East University Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · East University Avenue
2

Turn right onto 2nd Avenue

2.5 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue
3

Continue on IA 415

0.9 mi · 1 min · Northwest 2nd Street
4

Turn left

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward I 35 South, I 80 West
5

Merge onto I 80; I 35

7.3 mi · 8 min · I 80; I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Exit 127 Toward IA 141 West: Urbandale, Grimes Use the slight right lane.
7

Turn right onto IA 141

195 ft · 3 sec · Northwest Urbandale Drive
8

Continue on IA 141

2.6 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
9

Continue on IA 141

1.0 mi · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
10

Continue on IA 141

2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
11

Continue on IA 141

16 mi · 18 min · Northwest Granger Drive
12

Continue on IA 141

0.9 mi · 1 min · Northwest Granger Drive
13

Continue on IA 141

18 mi · 24 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
14

Turn right onto IA 4

1.3 mi · 1 min · State Highway 4
15

Continue on IA 4

8.5 mi · 11 min · Neola Avenue
16

Continue on IA 4

0.4 mi · 29 sec · South Elm Street
17

Continue on IA 4

0.7 mi · 55 sec · N Avenue
18

Continue on IA 4

1.2 mi · 2 min · South Elm Street
19

Turn left onto West Lincolnway Street

22 ft · 0 sec · West Lincolnway Street
20

Arrive at destination

West Lincolnway Street

Trip Plan

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 32.2 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.7 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 14 miles or 20m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 32.2 miles or 43m 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 13m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson, 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 64.5 miles and 1h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Des Moines, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway for about 17.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 32.2 mi from Des Moines, IA · 43m into the drive

Downtown Grimes, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Grimes, IA

32 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

Grimes, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Woodward, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 32.2 miles from Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Jefferson, IA

The final approach into Jefferson, 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

$10.08 one way

$20.17 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 23 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $11.07 $22.14
premium $4.89 $12.41 $24.82
diesel $5.61 $14.24 $28.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 22.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 19.3 0 $6.77 $3.10
Efficient EV 16.1 0 $5.64 $2.58
EV Truck/SUV 25.8 0 $9.03 $4.13

Gas CO2

23 kg

EV CO2

8 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 as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Des Moines, IA

Night in Des Moines on Wednesday

Local time

11:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Partly Cloudy

SW 6 to 10 mph 5% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:00PM CDT until April 16 at 7:30AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:00PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

Jefferson, IA

Night in Jefferson on Wednesday

Local time

11:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Patchy Fog

WNW 3 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:00PM CDT until April 16 at 7:30AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:00PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

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

7 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 27m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 Jefferson, IA covers 64.5 miles and takes about 1h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are George P. Soumas Memorial Highway, Northwest Granger Drive, Neola Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.2 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 $10.08 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 Jefferson, IA is easy. At 1h 27m with 13% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.4 miles (I 80; I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Des Moines, IA to Jefferson, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Grimes along the way.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Jefferson, IA to Des Moines, IA

Plan the drive back the other way.

64.6 mi 1h 28m

Continue From Jefferson, IA

Davenport, IA 219.3 mi · 4h 23m Council Bluffs, IA 122.6 mi · 2h 32m Indiana, IA 112.3 mi · 2h 23m Ames, IA 41.7 mi · 47m

More from Des Moines, IA

Osceola County, IA 229.7 mi · 4h 45m Bellevue, IA 206.3 mi · 4h 12m Sioux City, IA 198.6 mi · 3h 39m Dubuque, IA 189.1 mi · 3h 48m Fort Madison, IA 174.8 mi · 3h 32m Alta, IA 163.3 mi · 3h 12m

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.

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