Origin
Jefferson, IA
Night in Jefferson on Wednesday
Local time
11:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jefferson, IA to Des Moines, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 28m
Distance
64.6 mi
104 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 21m
★
6 AM
1h 28m
8 AM
1h 42m
10 AM
1h 33m
12 PM
1h 31m
3 PM
1h 33m
5 PM
1h 41m
8 PM
1h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jefferson, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Jefferson to Des Moines, you are in for a straightforward 66.1-mile journey across the Iowa landscape. Expect the drive to take approximately 1 hour and 11 minutes of pure transit time. Since this route is well within the range of a single day, you do not need to worry about booking an overnight stay to complete the trip. With a estimated fuel cost of just $10, it is an incredibly budget-friendly excursion between these two Midwest locales. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you will want to stay alert as you transition between your origin and destination. It serves as a practical, no-fuss connection for anyone needing to get from the smaller community of Jefferson to the capital city.
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
32.3 miles from Jefferson, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 44m into the drive .
Drive Character
Forget the monotony of the interstate; this route is defined by its turn-heavy, local character. You will spend your entire 66.1-mile trip navigating local roads rather than high-speed highways, as the highway share for this drive is exactly 0%. Your journey relies on a series of turns along South Elm Street, N Avenue, and Neola Avenue to keep you moving toward your destination. Because there is no single long-distance stretch—in fact, the longest uninterrupted segment on South Elm Street is essentially non-existent—you should be prepared for frequent adjustments behind the wheel. Expect a hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention as you wind through the rural Iowa terrain.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Elm Street 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 Jefferson, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 1h 28m 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 Jefferson, IA to Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Elm Street | — | — |
| N Avenue | — | — |
| Neola Avenue | — | — |
| Highway 4 | — | — |
| George P | — | — |
| Northwest Granger Drive | — | — |
| Northwest 114th Street | — | — |
| Northeast Grimes Boulevard | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
South Elm Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on West Lincolnway Street
23 ft
·
2 sec
·
West Lincolnway Street
2
Turn right onto South Elm Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Elm Street
3
Continue on N Avenue
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
·
N Avenue
4
Continue on South Elm Street
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Elm Street
5
Continue on Neola Avenue
8.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Neola Avenue
6
Continue on State Highway 4
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 4
7
At the end of the road, turn left onto George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
8
Keep slight left to continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
17 mi
·
23 min
·
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
9
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
16 mi
·
19 min
·
Northwest Granger Drive
10
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest 114th Street
11
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Grimes Boulevard
12
Continue on Grimes Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
Grimes Boulevard
13
Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast Grimes Boulevard
14
Continue on Northwest Urbandale Drive
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
Northwest Urbandale Drive
15
Turn left onto I-35 north, I-80 east: Minneapolis, Davenport
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
I-35 north, I-80 east: Minneapolis, Davenport
16
Merge slight left
7.3 mi
·
8 min
17
Take the exit slight right toward IA 415: Polk City
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
IA 415: Polk City
18
Turn right onto Northwest 2nd Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Northwest 2nd Street
19
Continue on 2nd Avenue
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
2nd Avenue
20
Turn left onto University Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
University Avenue
21
Continue on East University Avenue
98 ft
·
9 sec
·
East University Avenue
22
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, allowing you to easily work around your personal schedule. With no scheduled stops required, you can make the trip in one efficient push, though you should keep your eyes on the road given the frequent turns necessitated by the local route. Since you are strictly on local roads, factor in a few extra minutes for navigation if you are not accustomed to the specific turns on N Avenue or Neola Avenue. Keep that $10 fuel budget in mind when filling up, as you will likely want a full tank before you leave Jefferson to ensure a stress-free arrival in Des Moines. Using a reliable GPS is highly recommended here to help you navigate the multiple turns smoothly.
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 32.3 miles from Jefferson, IA, or about 44m 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 14 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.3 miles or 44m 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 14m
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 Jefferson, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Jefferson, IA
This is one driving day of about 64.6 miles and 1h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Jefferson, 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 32.3 mi from Jefferson, IA · 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.3 miles from Jefferson, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.10 one way
$20.20 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $11.09 | $22.18 |
| premium | $4.89 | $12.43 | $24.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.26 | $28.53 |
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 | 19.4 | 0 | $6.78 | $3.10 |
| Efficient EV | 16.2 | 0 | $5.65 | $2.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.8 | 0 | $9.04 | $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.
Destination
Des Moines, IA
Night in Des Moines on Wednesday
Local time
11:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Woodward, IA
32 mi in
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
22 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 28m 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 Jefferson, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 64.6 miles and takes about 1h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Elm Street, N Avenue, Neola Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.3 miles from Jefferson, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.10 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 Jefferson, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 1h 28m 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 Jefferson, IA to Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Jefferson, IA to Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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