Origin
Madrid, IA
Afternoon in Madrid on Sunday
Local time
3:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Madrid, IA to Des Moines, IA
Drive Time
36m
Distance
34 mi
55 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 34m
★
6 AM
0h 37m
8 AM
0h 43m
10 AM
0h 39m
12 PM
0h 38m
3 PM
0h 39m
5 PM
0h 43m
8 PM
0h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Madrid, IA
Miguel Cuenca
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
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 .
Drive Character
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.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Kennedy Avenue 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 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.
Main Roads
| 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.
Longest stretch:
South Kennedy Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madrid, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on East 1st Street
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
East 1st Street
2
Turn right onto South Kennedy Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Kennedy Avenue
3
Continue on State Highway 17
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
State Highway 17
4
Continue on Y Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Y Avenue
5
Turn left onto Northwest Madrid Drive
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Northwest Madrid Drive
6
Continue on North Broadway Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
North Broadway Street
7
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South 3rd Street
8
Continue on Northwest Polk City Drive
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Northwest Polk City Drive
9
Continue on Northwest 35th Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Northwest 35th Street
10
Continue on Northwest 78th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
Northwest 78th Avenue
11
Continue on Southwest Oralabor Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Oralabor Road
12
Turn right onto Southwest State Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest State Street
13
Continue on Northwest 2nd Street
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Northwest 2nd Street
14
Continue on 2nd Avenue
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
2nd Avenue
15
Turn left onto University Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
University Avenue
16
Continue on East University Avenue
98 ft
·
9 sec
·
East University Avenue
17
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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.
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 17 miles from Madrid, IA, or about 18m 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 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.
Before You Leave
+
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.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Madrid, 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.
Where to Stop
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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17 miles from Madrid, 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
$5.16 one way
$10.33 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| 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.
Destination
Des Moines, IA
Afternoon in Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
3:53 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
4 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
36m 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 Madrid, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 34 miles and takes about 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Kennedy Avenue, Highway 17, Y Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17 miles from Madrid, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.16 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 Madrid, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 36m 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 Madrid, IA to Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Madrid, IA to Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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