Origin
Leon, IA
Late night in Leon on Saturday
Local time
4:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Leon, IA to Des Moines, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 24m
Distance
70.6 mi
114 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 18m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 29m
12 PM
1h 27m
3 PM
1h 29m
5 PM
1h 37m
8 PM
1h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Leon, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Leon, IA to Des Moines, IA is 70.6 miles and takes about 1 hour 24 minutes via I 35, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive within the Midwest, connecting two points in Iowa. With a highway share of 82%, you can expect a relatively quick trip. It's a good option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without much fuss. Plan for a single day to complete this journey comfortably.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 24m. Total distance: 70.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This drive is primarily highway-focused, with 82% of the route utilizing major roadways like I 35 and the John MacVicar Freeway. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 49.6 miles on I 35, making for a consistent pace. The initial part of the journey involves Northwest Church Street before merging onto the interstate. Expect a direct and efficient driving experience, largely free from complex intersections or frequent slowdowns. The character remains consistent as you progress toward Des Moines.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 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 49.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Northwest Church Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 11.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 24m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 11.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 11.4 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 61 miles (Ramp 72 D): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
11.1 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the ramp toward Webb
Navigation decision point
Toward Webb
5
11.4 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
61 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
|
Ramp 72 D
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 D toward I 235 East: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 72A
Toward I 235 East: Des Moines
5
61.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m 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.
8
69.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward East Village, East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue
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 Village, East 6th Street, Pennsylva...
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 Leon, IA to Des Moines, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Webb along the way.
Webb
11.1 mi in
|
~16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 49.6 mi | 53m |
| Northwest Church Street | 9.4 mi | 13m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 8 mi | 10m |
| 120th Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Ramp 72 D | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Line Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Pennsylvania Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East University Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 49.6 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leon, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on US 69
9.4 mi
·
13 min
·
Northwest Church Street
2
Turn left onto 120th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
120th Street
3
Continue on CR J14
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Line Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Webb
5
Merge onto I 35
50 mi
·
53 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 D
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Ramp 72 D
Exit 72A
Toward I 235 East: Des Moines
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 235
8.0 mi
·
10 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 8B
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
10
Turn left onto East University Avenue
100 ft
·
8 sec
·
East University Avenue
11
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.3 mi from Leon, IA · 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.3 miles from Leon, 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
$11.04 one way
$22.08 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.12 | $24.24 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.59 | $27.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.59 | $31.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.41 | $3.39 |
| Efficient EV | 17.7 | 0 | $6.18 | $2.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.2 | 0 | $9.88 | $4.52 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Late night in Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
4:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
36°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 14 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 17 at 11:29PM CDT until April 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 17 at 10:38PM CDT until April 24 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
73°F
Osceola, IA
35 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
15 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 24m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Leon, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 70.6 miles and takes about 1h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, Northwest Church Street, 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 35.3 miles from Leon, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.04 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 straightforward 1h 24m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 11.4 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 61 miles (Ramp 72 D): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Leon, IA to Des Moines, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Webb along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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