This 166.7-mile drive from Strawberry Point to Des Moines, Iowa, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 31 minutes. The route predominantly utilizes IA 330, US 20, and the Avenue of the Saints, with 49% of the drive on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $26, this journey through the Midwest offers a straightforward travel experience. You'll find it to be a mixed drive, suitable for those looking for a direct and efficient way to get from point A to point B within Iowa. Plan for just one recommended stop along the way.
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
83.4 miles from Strawberry Point, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 31m. Total distance: 166.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
The character of this drive is a mixed one, blending highway speeds with other road types for 49% of the journey. You'll encounter stretches on IA 330, including a significant 35.9-mile segment without interruption, which allows for steady progress. The Avenue of the Saints and US 20 also contribute to the varied driving experience. Expect a profile that isn't solely monotonous interstate, but rather a combination that keeps things interesting enough for a relatively short trip. It's a drive that balances efficiency with a touch of regional road exploration.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
IA 330 is the longest continuous segment at about 35.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 78.7 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 166.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 78.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156.7 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
78.7 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
7
156.7 mi into trip|~3h 17m in|US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
7
161.1 mi into trip|~3h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 137A
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
8
165.8 mi into trip|~3h 29m 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
166.1 mi into trip|~3h 30m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Strawberry Point, IA to Des Moines, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Grundy Center along the way.
Grundy Center
78.7 mi in|~1h 35m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
IA 330
35.9 mi
42m
US 20
33.8 mi
38m
Avenue of the Saints
23.5 mi
27m
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi
21m
Washburn Avenue
12.3 mi
16m
240th Street
6.3 mi
9m
Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi
8m
N Avenue
4.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
IA 330
— 35.9 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Strawberry Point, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on IA 13
60 ft·4 sec·Elkader Street
2
Turn right onto IA 3
0.8 mi·1 min·West Mission Street
3
Continue on IA 3
2.9 mi·3 min·State Highway 3
4
Continue on IA 3
2.0 mi·2 min·40th Street
5
Enter roundabout onto IA 187
210 ft·3 sec·C Avenue
6
Continue on IA 187
3.0 mi·4 min·C Avenue
7
Continue on IA 187
12 mi·16 min·Washburn Avenue
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
9
Merge onto US 20
34 mi·38 min·US 20
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27
23 mi·27 min·Avenue of the Saints
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
Toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
12
Turn left onto IA 14
4.5 mi·6 min·N Avenue
13
Turn right onto 210th Street
1.0 mi·1 min·210th Street
14
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
1.0 mi·1 min·County Road T37
15
Continue on M Avenue
1.5 mi·2 min·M Avenue
16
Turn right onto IA 14; IA 175
6.3 mi·9 min·240th Street
17
Turn left onto IA 14
16 mi·21 min·Sanford Avenue
18
Turn right onto IA 330
4.3 mi·5 min·160th Street
19
Keep slight left at fork onto IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·North Main Street
20
Continue on IA 330
5.9 mi·8 min·Marsh Avenue
21
Turn right onto IA 330
36 mi·42 min·IA 330
22
Take the exit onto US 65
4.5 mi·5 min·US 65
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 137AToward I 235 West: Des MoinesUse the slight left lane.
24
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4.0 mi·5 min·John MacVicar Freeway
Toward I 235 West: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 8BToward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East VillageUse the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn AvenueUse 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
Given the 3-hour and 31-minute duration, this 166.7-mile trip from Strawberry Point to Des Moines is perfectly suited for a single day. Consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for your destination or any brief stops. With an estimated fuel cost of $26, keeping your tank topped up is straightforward. The longest continuous stretch is 35.9 miles on IA 330, so plan your single recommended stop either before or after this segment for a good balance of driving and rest. Flexibility is key on this route; you can adjust your pace as needed.
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 83.4 miles from Strawberry Point, IA, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.9 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 37 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.4 miles or 1h 42m 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 53m
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 Strawberry Point, 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 Strawberry Point, IA
This is one driving day of about 166.7 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Strawberry Point, 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 IA 330 for about 35.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.4 mi from Strawberry Point, IA
· 1h 42m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.06 one way
$52.12 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.61
$57.23
premium
$4.89
$32.08
$64.16
diesel
$5.61
$36.81
$73.61
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: 58.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50
0
$17.50
$8.00
Efficient EV
41.7
0
$14.59
$6.67
EV Truck/SUV
66.7
0
$23.34
$10.67
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Strawberry Point, IA
Afternoon
in Strawberry Point on Friday
Local time
3:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Des Moines, IA
Afternoon
in Des Moines on Friday
Local time
3:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°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
5 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
3h 31m 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 Strawberry Point, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 166.7 miles and takes about 3h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are IA 330, US 20, Avenue of the Saints. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.4 miles from Strawberry Point, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.06 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 is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 166.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 78.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156.7 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Strawberry Point, IA to Des Moines, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Grundy Center along the way.
