Road Trips from Des Moines, IA
Des Moines offers a solid mix of quick escapes and longer hauls, perfect for a weekend road trip. You've got options for short, under-an-hour drives for a quick change of scenery, plus longer routes pushing three hours, some with parks and others on mostly highway. It’s a good starting point if you want a straightforward drive without complex terrain, with a few destinations offering parks for a bit of nature along the way.
Total Routes
1
Shortest
0.3h
Under 2 hours
When to Go
Spring
With several routes offering park access, spring is ideal for exploring green spaces on drives like the one to Buffalo or Monticello.
Summer
The mostly flat terrain on longer highway routes like to Iowa City or Carter Lake makes for smooth summer driving.
Fall
The mixed highway and surface routes, such as the short trip to Buffalo, are pleasant for experiencing autumn colors.
Winter
With drive scores of 8 and 9 on many routes, winter trips to places like Villisca or Garner are reliably straightforward.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Des Moines, IA city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.