Drive Time
36m
Distance
34 mi
55 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Photo: Edgar Colomba
If you are looking to travel from Madrid to Des Moines, you are looking at a quick 34-mile journey through the heart of the Midwest. Expect the drive to take approximately 36 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip that requires no overnight stops. With a fuel budget of just $5, this is an incredibly economical route to navigate between these two Iowa locations. You will primarily navigate via South Kennedy Avenue, Highway 17, and Y Avenue rather than relying on major interstates. Because this route is entirely local, it offers a straightforward transition between the two communities without the complexity of a long-haul commute.
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
17 miles from Madrid, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this 34-mile path features zero percent highway share, keeping you off the main freeways entirely. You will find yourself navigating a series of turns rather than settling into a long, uninterrupted stretch of road. In fact, there is no single long stretch on this drive, as the route is defined by its transition through local corridors like South Kennedy Avenue. It is a technical, low-speed experience that feels much more personal than a standard highway trek.
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.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Madrid, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 36m 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 Madrid, IA to Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Kennedy Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 17 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Y Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Northwest Madrid Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Broadway Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South 3rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Northwest Polk City Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Northwest 35th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Madrid, IA and Des Moines, IA.
Start on East 1st Street
Turn right onto South Kennedy Avenue
Continue on State Highway 17
Continue on Y Avenue
Turn left onto Northwest Madrid Drive
Continue on North Broadway Street
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
Continue on Northwest Polk City Drive
Continue on Northwest 35th Street
Continue on Northwest 78th Avenue
Continue on Southwest Oralabor Road
Turn right onto Southwest State Street
Continue on Northwest 2nd Street
Continue on 2nd Avenue
Turn left onto University Avenue
Continue on East University Avenue
Arrive at your destination
Since this is only a 36-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak local traffic hours is always a smart move. You will not need to plan for any formal stops along the way given the short duration of the drive. Keep in mind that because this route relies on Y Avenue and Highway 17 instead of major highways, you should double-check your navigation before leaving to stay on track. Budget your $5 for fuel before you head out so you can focus on the road. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to stay alert for frequent turns, as the lack of highway miles means you will be making more frequent adjustments than you would on a standard interstate commute.
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.
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 34 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Moines, IA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Madrid, 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 Madrid, IA
This is one driving day of about 34 miles and 36m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17 mi from Madrid, IA · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 17 miles from Madrid, 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
$5.16 one way
$10.33 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $5.69 | $11.39 |
| premium | $4.80 | $6.42 | $12.84 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.55 | $15.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.2 | 0 | $3.57 | $1.63 |
| Efficient EV | 8.5 | 0 | $2.97 | $1.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.6 | 0 | $4.76 | $2.18 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Madrid on Sunday
Local time
10:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
10:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
43°F
Ankeny, IA
17 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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