Origin
Saylorville, IA
Morning in Saylorville on Monday
Local time
7:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saylorville, IA to Des Moines, IA
Drive Time
11m
Distance
6.3 mi
10 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 11m
★
6 AM
0h 12m
8 AM
0h 14m
10 AM
0h 13m
12 PM
0h 12m
3 PM
0h 13m
5 PM
0h 14m
8 PM
0h 11m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Saylorville, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 6.3 miles and takes about 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Northwest 6th Drive, 6th Avenue, 2nd Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 3 miles on Northwest 6th Drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $0.96 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
3.1 miles from Saylorville, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 11m drive with frequent turns across 6.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 8 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Northwest 6th Drive is the longest continuous segment at about 3 miles.
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 trickiest moment comes around 4.8 miles in near Franklin Avenue.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Saylorville, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 11m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.8 miles (Franklin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 5 miles (2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
2 of 2 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
4.8 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
Franklin Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Franklin Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
5 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
2nd Avenue
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest 6th Drive | 3 mi | 5m |
| 6th Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| 2nd Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| University Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Arlington Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Franklin Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East University Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Northwest 6th Drive
— 3 mi, about 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saylorville, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on Northwest 6th Drive
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Northwest 6th Drive
2
Continue on 6th Avenue
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
6th Avenue
3
Turn left onto Arlington Avenue
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Arlington Avenue
4
At end of road, turn left onto Franklin Avenue
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Franklin Avenue
5
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Avenue
6
Turn left onto University Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
University Avenue
7
Continue on East University Avenue
100 ft
·
8 sec
·
East University Avenue
8
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Trip Plan
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 3.1 miles from Saylorville, IA, or about 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3 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 6.3 miles or 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 3.1 miles or 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 9m
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 Saylorville, 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 Saylorville, IA
This is one driving day of about 6.3 miles and 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Saylorville, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Northwest 6th Drive for about 3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 3.1 mi from Saylorville, IA · 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
3 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 6.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 3.1 miles from Saylorville, 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.
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
$0.96 one way
$1.91 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
2 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $1.05 | $2.11 |
| premium | $4.80 | $1.19 | $2.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $1.40 | $2.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 50% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 1.9 | 0 | $0.66 | $0.30 |
| Efficient EV | 1.6 | 0 | $0.55 | $0.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 2.5 | 0 | $0.88 | $0.40 |
Gas CO2
2 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (50% 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
Morning in Des Moines on Monday
Local time
7:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
11m 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 Saylorville, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 6.3 miles and takes about 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Northwest 6th Drive, 6th Avenue, 2nd Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 3.1 miles from Saylorville, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $0.96 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 Saylorville, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 11m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.8 miles (Franklin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 5 miles (2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point.
The route from Saylorville, IA to Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Des Moines, IA
More from Saylorville, IA
More trips to Des Moines, IA
Explore more options from Saylorville, IA or browse trips ending in Des Moines, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Saylorville, IA or Des Moines, IA on MapSof.net.