The drive from Des Moines, IA to Washington, IA covers 90.5 miles and takes about 1h 43m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35, State Highway 3, John MacVicar Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 77.1 miles on I 35.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.15 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.
Midpoint
45.2 miles from Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Des Moines, capital of Iowa, is in the western region of the American Midwest. Des Moines is the largest city in Iowa and the annual site of the Iowa State Fair and numerous cultural festivals during warm weather months. History enthusiasts will find 110 historic sites in and around the city as part of the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area. The city appeals to travelers with an interest in the arts who marvel at the architecture of the State Capitol with its five domes, including the large main dome with its gleaming 23-karat gold surface. The city has a good art museum, a symphony that performs in the downtown Civic Center (along with opera, ballet, and other performing arts), and a big annual arts festival that draws visitors from across Iowa and beyond.
This is a 1h 43m highway drive covering 90.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and State Highway 3. The longest continuous stretch is about 77.1 miles on I 35.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 77.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and State Highway 3. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East University Avenue.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Des Moines, IA to Washington, IA is easy. At 1h 43m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East University Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.6 miles (US 69 / East 14th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|East University Avenue
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
3
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|US 69 / East 14th Street
Turn right onto US 69 / East 14th Street
Navigation decision point
6
1 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STree...
5
1.8 mi into trip|~4m in|I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Merge onto I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
83.7 mi into trip|~1h 33m in
Take the exit toward IA 3: Hampton, Clarion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 3: Hampton, Clarion
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 Washington, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Clarion along the way.
Clarion
83.7 mi in|~1h 33m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
77.1 mi
1h 23m
State Highway 3
6.3 mi
8m
John MacVicar Freeway
4.8 mi
5m
East University Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
East 14th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 77.1 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines, IA and Washington, IA.
1
Start on East University Avenue
481 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 US 69
0.4 mi·57 sec·East 14th Street
4
Take the ramp
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet
5
Merge onto I 235
4.8 mi·5 min·John MacVicar Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 35
77 mi·1 hr 23 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward IA 3: Hampton, Clarion
8
Turn right onto IA 3
6.3 mi·8 min·State Highway 3
9
Arrive at destination
IA 3
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 45.2 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.1 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 20 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.2 miles or 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 1h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington, 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 90.5 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Des Moines, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 77.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.2 mi from Des Moines, IA
· 51m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.15 one way
$28.30 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$15.53
$31.07
premium
$4.89
$17.42
$34.83
diesel
$5.61
$19.98
$39.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.2
0
$9.50
$4.34
Efficient EV
22.6
0
$7.92
$3.62
EV Truck/SUV
36.2
0
$12.67
$5.79
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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 Saturday
Local time
11:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Washington, IA
Morning
in Washington on Saturday
Local time
11:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°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
16 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 43m 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 Washington, IA covers 90.5 miles and takes about 1h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, State Highway 3, John MacVicar Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 45.2 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 $14.15 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 Washington, IA is easy. At 1h 43m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East University Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.6 miles (US 69 / East 14th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Des Moines, IA to Washington, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Clarion along the way.
