Origin
Nevada, IA
Evening in Nevada on Wednesday
Local time
6:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Nevada, IA to Des Moines, IA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
45m
Distance
37.6 mi
60 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 42m
★
6 AM
0h 45m
8 AM
0h 53m
10 AM
0h 48m
12 PM
0h 47m
3 PM
0h 48m
5 PM
0h 53m
8 PM
0h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nevada, IA
Stephan Müller
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking to get from Nevada to Des Moines, you are in for a quick 37.6-mile journey that typically takes about 37 minutes. This short trip is perfect for a single-day excursion, as it requires no overnight stops to complete comfortably. With fuel costs estimated at around $6, it is an incredibly budget-friendly way to travel between these two Midwest locations. Because the route is so efficient, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your schedule however you like. Whether you are heading to the capital for business or a change of pace, this straightforward drive keeps things simple and stress-free.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
18.8 miles from Nevada, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate via 6th Street, South 6th Street, and the Lincoln Highway to reach your destination. Because the longest stretch on any single road is quite short, you should stay alert and ready for frequent turns throughout the journey. The lack of highway segments means you will experience a more direct, ground-level perspective of the Iowa landscape. It is a practical, no-frills drive that prioritizes local roads over heavy-duty transit corridors.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 24.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Lincoln Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 6th Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
This is a short but busy drive. With 8 decision points packed into just 37.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 45m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.6 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
6th Street
Turn right onto 6th Street
Navigation decision point
5
7.6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
31.7 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
8
36.6 mi into trip
|
~43m 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
36.9 mi into trip
|
~43m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 24.2 mi | 26m |
| Lincoln Highway | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 4 mi | 5m |
| 6th Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Pennsylvania Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South 6th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East University Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 24.2 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nevada, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on E41
30 ft
·
4 sec
·
Lincoln Highway
2
Turn right onto 6th Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
6th Street
3
Continue on South 6th Street
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
South 6th Street
4
Turn right onto US 30
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Lincoln Highway
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
6
Merge onto I 35
24 mi
·
26 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
8
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.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 8B
Toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
12
Turn left onto East University Avenue
100 ft
·
8 sec
·
East University Avenue
13
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is such a brief trip, you have the advantage of total scheduling freedom without needing to worry about long-distance fatigue or complex rest stops. You can easily complete the entire 37-mile distance without any planned breaks, allowing you to get to your destination in under 40 minutes. Try to time your departure to avoid peak local traffic, which can make those frequent turns on 6th Street feel a bit more tedious. Keep a small amount of cash or a card handy for that $6 fuel budget to ensure you are ready for the road. Most importantly, stay focused on the transition between the various local streets to ensure you stay on the correct path toward Des Moines.
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 18.8 miles from Nevada, IA, or about 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.2 miles.
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 37.6 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18.8 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Moines, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Nevada, IA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Nevada, IA
This is one driving day of about 37.6 miles and 45m.
At 37.6 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 24.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18.8 mi from Nevada, IA · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 37.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.8 miles from Nevada, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Des Moines, IA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Des Moines, IA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.88 one way
$11.76 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.45 | $12.91 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.24 | $14.47 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.30 | $16.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.3 | 0 | $3.95 | $1.80 |
| Efficient EV | 9.4 | 0 | $3.29 | $1.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15 | 0 | $5.26 | $2.41 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Evening in Des Moines on Wednesday
Local time
6:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
45m 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 Nevada, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 37.6 miles and takes about 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, Lincoln Highway, 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 18.8 miles from Nevada, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.88 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 short but busy drive. With 8 decision points packed into just 37.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 45m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.6 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Nevada, IA to Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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