Origin
Ottumwa, IA
Afternoon in Ottumwa on Thursday
Local time
1:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ottumwa, IA to Des Moines, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 28m
Distance
86.8 mi
140 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 22m
★
6 AM
1h 29m
8 AM
1h 42m
10 AM
1h 34m
12 PM
1h 32m
3 PM
1h 34m
5 PM
1h 42m
8 PM
1h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ottumwa, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Ottumwa, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 86.8 miles and takes about 1h 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
This route mixes long travel segments with more detailed approach driving, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.57 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 28m. Total distance: 86.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 28m drive with frequent turns across 86.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
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.
The drive from Ottumwa, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 1h 28m 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 Ottumwa, IA to Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.57 one way
$27.14 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.90 | $29.80 |
| premium | $4.89 | $16.70 | $33.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.16 | $38.33 |
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$14
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26 | 0 | $9.11 | $4.17 |
| Efficient EV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.59 | $3.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.15 | $5.56 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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 Thursday
Local time
1:23 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
18 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 28m 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 Ottumwa, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 86.8 miles and takes about 1h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.57 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 Ottumwa, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 1h 28m 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 Ottumwa, IA to Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Ottumwa, IA to Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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