Origin
Des Moines, IA
Night in Des Moines on Wednesday
Local time
10:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Moines, IA to Monroe, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
41m
Distance
28.8 mi
46 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 38m
★
6 AM
0h 42m
8 AM
0h 49m
10 AM
0h 44m
12 PM
0h 44m
3 PM
0h 45m
5 PM
0h 48m
8 PM
0h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Monroe, IA
César O'neill
Trip Overview
The drive from Des Moines, IA to Monroe, IA covers 28.8 miles and takes about 41m 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, Northeast University Avenue, Monroe for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.50 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
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
14.4 miles from Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 41m drive with frequent turns across 28.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 9 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 Monroe, IA is easy. At 41m 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 Monroe, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East University Avenue | — | — |
| Northeast University Avenue | — | — |
| Monroe | — | — |
| Highway 163 | — | — |
| West Washington Street | — | — |
| North Monroe 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 Monroe, IA.
1
Start on East University Avenue
482 ft
·
39 sec
·
East University Avenue
2
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
9.1 mi
·
16 min
·
East University Avenue
3
Continue on Northeast University Avenue
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Northeast University Avenue
4
Continue on East University Avenue
15 mi
·
17 min
·
East University Avenue
5
Take the exit slight right toward Monroe
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
Monroe
6
Turn left onto State Highway 163 (Bus)
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 163 (Bus)
7
Turn left onto West Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
West Washington Street
8
Turn right onto North Monroe Street
72 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Monroe Street
9
Arrive at your destination
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 14.4 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 20m 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 28.8 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14.4 miles or 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monroe, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Des Moines, IA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Des Moines, IA
This is one driving day of about 28.8 miles and 41m.
At 28.8 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14.4 mi from Des Moines, IA · 20m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 28.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 14.4 miles from Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Monroe, IA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Monroe, IA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.50 one way
$9.01 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $4.94 | $9.89 |
| premium | $4.89 | $5.54 | $11.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.36 | $12.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.6 | 0 | $3.02 | $1.38 |
| Efficient EV | 7.2 | 0 | $2.52 | $1.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.5 | 0 | $4.03 | $1.84 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Monroe, IA
Night in Monroe on Wednesday
Local time
10:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 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
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 Monroe, IA covers 28.8 miles and takes about 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East University Avenue, Northeast University Avenue, Monroe. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.4 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 $4.50 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 Monroe, IA is easy. At 41m 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 Monroe, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Des Moines, IA to Monroe, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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