Origin
Onawa, IA
Late night in Onawa on Wednesday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Onawa, IA to Des Moines, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 2m
Distance
165 mi
265 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 51m
★
6 AM
3h 3m
8 AM
3h 26m
10 AM
3h 11m
12 PM
3h 9m
3 PM
3h 12m
5 PM
3h 25m
8 PM
2h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Onawa, IA
rachid alioun
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 165-mile drive from Onawa, IA, to Des Moines, IA, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 3 hours. It's a perfect candidate for a day trip, with a manageable fuel cost estimated at $26. You'll spend virtually all your time on major interstates, making it a quick and efficient transit through the Midwest. The route is designed for speed and directness, so if you're looking to cover ground between these two Iowa cities without much fuss, this is a solid option. Plan for a single stop to break up the drive if needed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
82.5 miles from Onawa, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway experience, with 98% of this route utilizing major interstate roads. The character is 'highway-focused,' meaning you'll be on high-speed, multi-lane roads for the vast majority of your trip. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 94.9 miles on I-80, so plan your breaks accordingly. This segment is designed for efficient travel rather than scenic detours, offering a consistent driving pace for most of the 3-hour journey.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 94.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 29. 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 IA 175 / Iowa Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 165 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 (IA 175 / Iowa Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 42.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 59.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 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
|
IA 175 / Iowa Avenue
Turn left onto IA 175 / Iowa Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
42.9 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Take the exit toward I 880 East: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 71
Toward I 880 East: Des Moines
8
59.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 16A
Toward I 80 East: Des Moines
8
155.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
|
I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway toward I 235 East: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123A
Toward I 235 East: Des Moines
8
164.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 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...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 94.9 mi | 1h 41m |
| I 29 | 40.5 mi | 43m |
| I 880 | 16 mi | 17m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 8.9 mi | 11m |
| Iowa Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| State Highway 175 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Pennsylvania Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East University Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 94.9 mi, about 1h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Onawa, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on 10th Street
29 ft
·
8 sec
·
10th Street
2
Turn left onto IA 175
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Iowa Avenue
3
Continue on IA 175
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 175
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
5
Merge onto I 29
40 mi
·
43 min
·
I 29
6
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 71
Toward I 880 East: Des Moines
7
Continue on I 880
16 mi
·
17 min
·
I 880
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 16A
Toward I 80 East: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 80
95 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
·
I 80
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 235
8.9 mi
·
11 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
Exit 123A
Toward I 235 East: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 8B
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
13
Turn left onto East University Avenue
100 ft
·
8 sec
·
East University Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration and 165-mile distance, this trip is well-suited for a single-day excursion. You can depart Onawa at your convenience, perhaps in the morning to arrive in Des Moines with plenty of the day remaining. With 98% of the drive on interstates, fuel and rest stops are readily available. Keep an eye on I-80 for the longest stretch of 94.9 miles, which is a good indicator for when to consider your next break or fuel stop. The estimated fuel cost of $26 makes budgeting straightforward for this efficient drive.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 82.5 miles from Onawa, IA, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.9 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 80 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.5 miles or 1h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 28m
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 Onawa, 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 Onawa, IA
This is one driving day of about 165 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Onawa, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 94.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82.5 mi from Onawa, IA · 1h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 82.5 miles from Onawa, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.9 miles.
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
$25.80 one way
$51.59 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.32 | $56.65 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.75 | $63.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.43 | $72.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.5 | 0 | $17.33 | $7.92 |
| Efficient EV | 41.3 | 0 | $14.44 | $6.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66 | 0 | $23.10 | $10.56 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Late night in Des Moines on Wednesday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
47°F
Denison, IA
83 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
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 2m 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 Onawa, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 165 miles and takes about 3h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, I 29, I 880. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 82.5 miles from Onawa, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.80 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 165 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 (IA 175 / Iowa Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 42.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 59.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Onawa, IA to Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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