Origin
Osceola County, IA
Afternoon in Osceola County on Sunday
Local time
2:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Osceola County, IA to Des Moines, IA
Drive Time
4h 44m
Distance
229 mi
369 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
Osceola County, IA
Tom Fisk
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Osceola County to Des Moines covers 229.4 miles of Iowa landscape. You should plan for a total drive time of approximately 3 hours and 47 minutes. Since this is a manageable distance, it works perfectly as a one-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. Budgeting about $34 for fuel will cover your transit across this Midwest stretch. Expect a straightforward journey that gets you from the northern reaches of the state to the capital city efficiently. Because this route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it offers a different perspective on the region compared to typical highway travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
114.5 miles from Osceola County, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. You will navigate via 190th Street, County Highway A30, and 320th Street, which means your highway share for this trip is 0%. The route trades the monotony of high-speed interstates for a more hands-on experience on local thoroughfares. Because you are navigating strictly through local infrastructure, you should stay alert for frequent turns and changes in road character throughout the nearly four-hour journey. It is a steady, rhythmic drive that requires your full attention compared to a standard cruise-control highway trek.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
220th Street is the longest continuous segment at about 92.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 15.3 miles in near US 59 / Silver Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 229 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 15.3 miles (US 59 / Silver Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.2 miles (US 59 / Tanager Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 75.6 miles (US 20 / 220th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
15.3 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
US 59 / Silver Avenue
Turn right onto US 59 / Silver Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
34.2 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
US 59 / Tanager Avenue
Turn right onto US 59 / Tanager Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
75.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
US 20 / 220th Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 20 / 220th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
228 mi into trip
|
~4h 42m 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
228.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 42m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 220th Street | 92.4 mi | 1h 46m |
| I 35 | 54.5 mi | 59m |
| Silver Avenue | 13.5 mi | 19m |
| County Highway A30 | 13 mi | 17m |
| 20th Avenue | 9.2 mi | 12m |
| Railroad Street | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| Armstrong Avenue | 6 mi | 8m |
| 470th Street | 4.1 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 92.4 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Osceola County, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on Silver Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Silver Avenue
2
Turn right onto 190th Street
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
190th Street
3
Turn left onto US 59
13 mi
·
17 min
·
County Highway A30
4
Turn left onto US 18; US 59
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
320th Street
5
Turn right onto US 59
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Silver Avenue
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on US 59
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Rerick Avenue
7
Continue on US 59
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Silver Avenue
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on US 59; IA 10
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
470th Street
9
Turn right onto US 59
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Tanager Avenue
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on US 59
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Q Avenue
11
Continue on US 59
6.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Railroad Street
12
Turn left onto IA 3
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 3
13
Turn left onto IA 3
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
530th Street
14
Turn right onto IA 7
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
V Avenue
15
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Street
16
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 7
17
Continue on IA 7
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 7
18
Turn right onto 20th Avenue
9.2 mi
·
12 min
·
20th Avenue
19
Continue on CR M27
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Armstrong Avenue
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
92 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
·
220th Street
Use the none lane.
21
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
22
Merge onto I 35
54 mi
·
59 min
·
I 35
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
24
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 8B
Toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
Use the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
27
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
28
Turn left onto East University Avenue
100 ft
·
8 sec
·
East University Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this 229.4-mile trip is best tackled in a single day, aim to leave early to avoid rushing through the various turns along the way. You should plan for one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, which helps keep you sharp on these local roads. Keep a close eye on your navigation, as the reliance on County Highway A30 and 320th Street means you won't have the convenience of simple interstate signage. With a fuel budget of $34, ensure you fill up before heading out, as local roads may have fewer service stations than major thoroughfares. Enjoy the flexibility of this route, which allows you to set your own pace without the pressure of heavy traffic congestion.
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 114.5 miles from Osceola County, IA, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.4 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 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.5 miles or 2h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 57m
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 Osceola County, 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 Osceola County, IA
This is one driving day of about 229 miles and 4h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Osceola County, 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 220th Street for about 92.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 114.5 mi from Osceola County, IA · 2h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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 114.5 miles from Osceola County, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before 220th Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92.4 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
$34.78 one way
$69.57 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $38.34 | $76.69 |
| premium | $4.80 | $43.23 | $86.46 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $50.88 | $101.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.7 | 0 | $24.04 | $10.99 |
| Efficient EV | 57.3 | 0 | $20.04 | $9.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.6 | 1 | $32.06 | $14.66 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
2:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
47°F
Denison, IA
115 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
3 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
4h 44m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Osceola County, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 229 miles and takes about 4h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 220th Street, I 35, Silver Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 114.5 miles from Osceola County, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.78 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 229 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 15.3 miles (US 59 / Silver Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.2 miles (US 59 / Tanager Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 75.6 miles (US 20 / 220th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Osceola County, IA to Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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