Origin
Iowa Falls, IA
Afternoon in Iowa Falls on Sunday
Local time
3:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Iowa Falls, IA to Des Moines, IA
Drive Time
1h 37m
Distance
82.5 mi
133 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 30m
★
6 AM
1h 37m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 51m
8 PM
1h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Iowa Falls, IA
Ali Soheil
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Iowa Falls to Des Moines, you are looking at a straightforward 82.5-mile journey through the heart of the Midwest. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 37 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via US 20 and I-35, providing a direct connection between these two Iowa locations. Budget approximately $13 for fuel to complete the drive comfortably. Because this route is efficient and relatively short, it offers great flexibility for your schedule, allowing you to reach your destination quickly without the exhaustion of a multi-day haul.
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
41.3 miles from Iowa Falls, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive is designed for efficiency, with 90% of your time spent on major roads like I-35. You will experience a significant 54.9-mile uninterrupted stretch on I-35, which defines the bulk of the experience. While you start by navigating local segments via Oak Street and US 20, the transition to the interstate creates a consistent pace for the majority of the trip. Do not expect technical curves or winding backroads; instead, prepare for a steady, predictable drive that prioritizes speed and directness over rural sightseeing.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 54.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 82.5 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 21.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.7 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
21.4 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward I 35 South: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
5
21.7 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
76.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
8
81.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
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 8B
Toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, Ea...
8
81.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Aven...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 54.9 mi | 59m |
| US 20 | 15.4 mi | 17m |
| Oak Street | 5 mi | 8m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 4 mi | 5m |
| East Rocksylvania Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Pennsylvania Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Commercial Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East University Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 54.9 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa Falls, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on Commercial Street
331 ft
·
11 sec
·
Commercial Street
2
Turn right onto East Rocksylvania Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Rocksylvania Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 65
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Oak Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward US 20 West
5
Merge onto US 20
15 mi
·
17 min
·
US 20
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 35
55 mi
·
59 min
·
I 35
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
9
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 8B
Toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
13
Turn left onto East University Avenue
100 ft
·
8 sec
·
East University Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 1 hour and 37-minute trip, you have the advantage of choosing a departure time that best suits your personal workflow. There are no planned stops on this route, so ensure your tank is ready before you leave to keep your $13 fuel budget on track. Because the vast majority of your travel occurs on high-speed highways, stay alert for merging traffic as you transition from US 20 onto I-35. Use the simplicity of the drive to your benefit by keeping a consistent speed during the long 54.9-mile stretch on the interstate. Being prepared for high-speed traffic flow will make your arrival in Des Moines much smoother.
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 41.3 miles from Iowa Falls, IA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.9 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.3 miles or 50m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Moines, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Iowa Falls, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Iowa Falls, IA
This is one driving day of about 82.5 miles and 1h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Iowa Falls, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 54.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.3 mi from Iowa Falls, IA · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.3 miles from Iowa Falls, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Des Moines, IA
The final approach into Des Moines, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Des Moines, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.53 one way
$25.06 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $13.81 | $27.63 |
| premium | $4.80 | $15.57 | $31.15 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.33 | $36.66 |
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: 28.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.66 | $3.96 |
| Efficient EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.22 | $3.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33 | 0 | $11.55 | $5.28 |
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.
Destination
Des Moines, IA
Afternoon in Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
3:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°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
3 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 Iowa Falls, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 82.5 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 I 35, US 20, Oak Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.3 miles from Iowa Falls, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.53 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 82.5 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 21.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.7 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Iowa Falls, IA to Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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