Le Mars, IA Road Trips
Le Mars, IA serves as a quiet starting point in the Midwest, connecting drivers to 5 outbound routes across the area. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 207-mile quick runs to 301-mile cross-state drives. Most routes from Le Mars, IA head east, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
5
Longest Drive
300.5 mi
Iowa City, IA
Quickest Drive
4h 7m
West Des Moines, IA
Plan Around Le Mars, IA
Continue From Le Mars, IA
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Le Mars, IA
Driving from Le Mars, IA
On average, trips departing from Le Mars, IA run 234 miles with a drive time of roughly 4h 35m. This is long-haul territory. Most routes stretch past the 250-mile mark, so pack snacks and plan fuel stops. The longest mapped route runs 301 miles (6h), while the shortest is just 207 miles.
Popular Destinations
Top road trip destinations from Le Mars, IA are Iowa City, IA (300.5 mi, 6h), Des Moines, IA (225.8 mi, 4h 12m), West Des Moines, IA (220.9 mi, 4h 7m), Cedar Falls, IA (217.7 mi, 4h 26m), and Ankeny, IA (207.1 mi, 4h 9m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in IA currently averages around $3.77 per gallon. For the typical 234-mile trip from Le Mars, IA, budget about $35 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
Routes tend to go east, so afternoon departures put the sun at your back on the return leg. Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 5 mapped routes leaving Le Mars, IA and 0 routes heading into Le Mars, IA, covering 5 total connections. Distances range from 207 to 301 miles.
The longest mapped route from Le Mars, IA covers 301 miles and takes approximately 6h. Shorter options start at just 207 miles.
The average route from Le Mars, IA runs about 234 miles with a drive time of roughly 4h 35m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.77/gallon for regular), the average 234-mile trip from Le Mars, IA costs roughly $35 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Le Mars, IA include Iowa City, IA, Des Moines, IA, West Des Moines, IA and Cedar Falls, IA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Le Mars, IA by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
10,597
Median Income
$72,381
Median Home Value
$202,200
Median Age
39.1
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Le Mars, IA at a Glance
Founded
1869
Elevation
1,234 ft
Area
9 mi²
Notable People from Le Mars, IA
A sampling of people born in Le Mars, IA.
Thomas E. Starzl
1926–2017
American physician (1926-2017)
Clyde Kluckhohn
1905–1960
American anthropologist (1905–1960)
Paul Rust
1981
American actor, comedian, writer, and musician
Gregory Kelly
1956
American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church
Keith Knudsen
1948–2005
American rock musician (1948–2005)
Dave Gunther
1937–2024
American basketball player-coach
Don L. Short
1903–1982
American politician (1903-1982)
Carole Farley
1946
American opera singer
John Spenkelink
1949–1979
American murderer (1949–1979)
Landmarks & Historic Sites
Attractions and heritage-registered places located in Le Mars, IA.
Tonsfeldt Round Barn
round barn in Le Mars, Iowa
Le Mars Municipal Park and Golf Course Historic District
historic district in Le Mars, Iowa
Le Mars Downtown Commercial Historic District
historic district in Iowa, United States
City data from Wikidata (Q570073), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Le Mars, IA
Le Mars is a city in Western Iowa.
Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor and Museum, 115 Central Ave NW, ☏ +1 712 546-4522. M-Sa 9AM-10PM, Su noon-10PM. Exhibits on the history of the Wells company, owners of Blue Bunny. Located in the 1875 George E Pew building in downtown Le Mars. Le Mars Arts Center, 200 Central Ave SE, ☏ +1 712 546-7476. Th-Su 1PM-5PM. Rotating art exhibits, plus a large permanent collection of barn quilts.
Plymouth County Fair, 500 4th Ave NE. One of Iowa's largest county fairs. $7 adults, $1 children 12 and under. Postal Playhouse (Le Mars Community Theater), 105 1st St NE, ☏ +1 712 546-5788. Community theater located in Le Mars' former post office.
Amber Inn, 635 8th Ave SW, toll-free: +1-800-338-0298. Baymont Inn and Suites, 1314 12th St SW, ☏ +1 712 548-4910, fax: +1 712 548-4488. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Holiday Inn Express, 1285 Sleepy Eye Dr, ☏ +1 712 546-1700, fax: +1 712 546-1799. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.
1 Le Mars Municipal Airport (LRJ IATA). General aviation airport. No scheduled passenger service. (updated Aug 2020)
Travel tips adapted from Le Mars on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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