Origin
Stuart, IA
Afternoon in Stuart on Thursday
Local time
3:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Stuart, IA to Des Moines, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
46m
Distance
40 mi
64 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 43m
★
6 AM
0h 47m
8 AM
0h 55m
10 AM
0h 50m
12 PM
0h 49m
3 PM
0h 50m
5 PM
0h 54m
8 PM
0h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Stuart, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward connection between Stuart and Des Moines, this 40-mile journey is an ideal candidate. Covering the distance in roughly 46 minutes, the route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning there is no need to worry about overnight logistics. You will primarily navigate via I-80, eventually transitioning into the John MacVicar Freeway and South Division Street as you arrive in the city. Budgeting about $6 for fuel is sufficient for this efficient Midwest transit. Since both the origin and destination are located within Iowa, the drive maintains a consistent regional character throughout. It is a no-nonsense path that gets you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 46m. Total distance: 40 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience, as 95% of this 40-mile trip is spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-80, which accounts for a 29.1-mile stretch of uninterrupted driving. This segment offers a steady, predictable pace that is characteristic of interstate travel across the region. As you approach Des Moines, the road transitions from the open highway onto the John MacVicar Freeway and South Division Street. The personality of this drive is strictly utilitarian, prioritizing speed and connectivity over winding scenic detours. You can anticipate a smooth, straightforward ride that requires little technical navigation.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 8 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 29.1 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,211 ft
833 ft
Total Climb
426 ft
Total Descent
765 ft
Highest Point
1,211 ft
Elevation Range
378 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and John MacVicar Freeway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 46m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 80; US 6): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 30.2 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
3
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 80; US 6
Merge onto I 80; US 6
Merge point - match speed before joining
8
30.2 mi into trip
|
~33m 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
39.1 mi into trip
|
~44m 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...
4
39.5 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
Pennsylvania Avenue
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 29.1 mi | 31m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 8.9 mi | 11m |
| South Division Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Pennsylvania Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East University Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 29.1 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stuart, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on CR P28
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Division Street
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
3
Merge onto I 80; US 6
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 80; US 6
4
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.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 8B
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
6
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
7
Turn left onto East University Avenue
100 ft
·
8 sec
·
East University Avenue
8
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20 mi from Stuart, IA · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20 miles from Stuart, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Des Moines, IA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Des Moines, IA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.25 one way
$12.51 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.87 | $13.73 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.70 | $15.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.83 | $17.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 14 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12 | 0 | $4.20 | $1.92 |
| Efficient EV | 10 | 0 | $3.50 | $1.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16 | 0 | $5.60 | $2.56 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
3:12 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
21 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
46m 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 Stuart, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 40 miles and takes about 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, John MacVicar Freeway, South Division Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20 miles from Stuart, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.25 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.
This is a straightforward 46m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 80; US 6): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 30.2 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Stuart, IA to Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 833 ft to 1,211 ft elevation with about 426 ft of total climbing.
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