Drive Time
3h 26m
Distance
217 mi
349 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
Photo: Edgar Colomba
The drive from Le Mars, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 217 miles and takes about 3h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Central Avenue, Plymouth Street Northwest, Plymouth Street Southwest for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.96 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
108.5 miles from Le Mars, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 26m drive with frequent turns across 217 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 26m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Le Mars, IA to Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Plymouth Street Northwest | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Plymouth Street Southwest | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Plymouth Street West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 3 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 75 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 29 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 29 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Le Mars, IA and Des Moines, IA.
Start on 1st Street Northeast
Turn left onto Central Avenue
Turn right onto Plymouth Street Northwest
Continue on Plymouth Street Southwest
Continue on Plymouth Street West
Continue on State Highway 3
Take the ramp left toward US 75
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 29: Sioux City, Council Bluffs
Keep slight left to continue on I 29 South: Council Bluffs, Sioux Gateway Airport
Take the exit slight right toward I 880 East: Des Moines
Continue straight
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Des Moines
Merge slight right
Keep slight left to continue on John MacVicar Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward East Village, East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
Turn left onto East University Avenue
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.5 miles or 1h 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 2h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Moines, IA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Le Mars, 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 Le Mars, IA
This is one driving day of about 217 miles and 3h 26m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 108.5 mi from Le Mars, IA · 1h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 108.5 miles from Le Mars, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$32.96 one way
$65.92 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $36.33 | $72.67 |
| premium | $4.80 | $40.97 | $81.93 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $48.21 | $96.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.1 | 0 | $22.78 | $10.42 |
| Efficient EV | 54.3 | 0 | $18.99 | $8.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.8 | 1 | $30.38 | $13.89 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Le Mars on Sunday
Local time
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
55°F
Council Bluffs, IA
109 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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