Trip from Marshalltown, IA to Des Moines, IA

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

1h 6m

Distance

51.6 mi

83 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$8

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 16 min

4 AM

1h 2m ★

6 AM

1h 7m

8 AM

1h 18m

10 AM

1h 11m

12 PM

1h 10m

3 PM

1h 11m

5 PM

1h 17m

8 PM

1h 4m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

This straightforward 51.6-mile drive from Marshalltown to Des Moines, Iowa, is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 6 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. You'll primarily be on IA 330 and US 65, with a portion on John MacVicar Freeway. Given its short length and the estimated $8 fuel cost, there's no need to split this journey; you can comfortably complete it in one go. The route offers a classic Midwest highway experience, connecting two points within the same region.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 6m. Total distance: 51.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 51.6-mile trip, with 86% of the route utilizing major roadways like IA 330 and US 65. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 35.9 miles on IA 330, which means you can settle in for a good period of consistent driving. While largely highway, the transition into Des Moines will bring you onto urban freeways, offering a change of pace as you approach your destination.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

IA 330 is the longest continuous segment at about 35.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IA 330 and US 65. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Main Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 51.6 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 41.5 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Main Street

Turn right onto East Main Street

Navigation decision point

7

41.5 mi into trip | ~52m in | US 65

Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines

7

46 mi into trip | ~58m in

Take the exit toward I 235 West: Des Moines

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 137A Toward I 235 West: Des Moines

8

50.6 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in

Take the exit toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village

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 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, Ea...

8

50.9 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in

Keep slight right at fork toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Aven...

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
IA 330	35.9 mi	42m
US 65	4.5 mi	5m
John MacVicar Freeway	4 mi	5m
West Lincolnway	2.2 mi	3m
Marshalltown Boulevard	2.1 mi	3m
East Main Street	0.5 mi	<1m
South 3rd Street	0.4 mi	<1m
Pennsylvania Avenue	0.3 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: IA 330 — 35.9 mi, about 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Marshalltown, IA and Des Moines, IA.

1

Start on IA 14

103 ft · 5 sec · North 3rd Avenue

2

Turn right onto East Main Street

0.5 mi · 58 sec · East Main Street

3

Turn left onto South 3rd Street

0.4 mi · 46 sec · South 3rd Street

4

Turn right onto West Madison Street

0.3 mi · 32 sec · West Madison Street

5

Turn straight onto West Lincolnway

2.2 mi · 3 min · West Lincolnway

6

Continue on Marshalltown Boulevard

2.1 mi · 3 min · Marshalltown Boulevard

7

Continue on IA 330

36 mi · 42 min · IA 330

8

Take the exit onto US 65

4.5 mi · 5 min · US 65

Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines Use the straight / slight right lanes.

9

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 137A Toward I 235 West: Des Moines Use the slight left lane.

10

Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

4.0 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway

Toward I 235 West: Des Moines Use the straight / slight right lanes.

11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Exit 8B Toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village Use the slight right lane.

12

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue Use the slight right lane.

13

Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue

14

Turn left onto East University Avenue

100 ft · 8 sec · East University Avenue

15

Arrive at destination

East University Avenue

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 25.8 mi from Marshalltown, IA · 34m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Colfax, IA

26 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

Melbourne, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mitchellville, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 25.8 miles from Marshalltown, 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

$8.07 one way

$16.13 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 18 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$8.86	$17.71
premium	$4.89	$9.93	$19.86
diesel	$5.61	$11.39	$22.79

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$8

Estimated CO2 emission: 18.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	15.5	$5.42	$2.48
Efficient EV	12.9	$4.52	$2.06
EV Truck/SUV	20.6	$7.22	$3.30

Gas CO2

18 kg

EV CO2

6 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Marshalltown, IA

Late night in Marshalltown on Friday

Local time

1:18 AM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Des Moines, IA

Late night in Des Moines on Friday

Local time

1:18 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

72°F

Colfax, IA

26 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

16 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 6m 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 Marshalltown, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 51.6 miles and takes about 1h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are IA 330, US 65, 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 25.8 miles from Marshalltown, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.07 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 51.6 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 41.5 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Marshalltown, IA to Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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