Belmond, IA to Des Moines, IA is 93 miles and takes about 1 hour 52 minutes via I 35, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward drive stays within Iowa, moving you from the Midwest region to the same region. It's a quick connection, primarily on the interstate, making it a practical choice for a simple day trip or a quick leg of a larger journey. You'll find it an efficient way to cover the distance without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.3 miles from Belmond, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
59 mi
1h 4m
US 69
15 mi
20m
River Avenue South
8.8 mi
12m
John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi
5m
190th Street
3.4 mi
5m
Pennsylvania Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
East Main Street
0.1 mi
<1m
East University Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 59 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belmond, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue Northeast
61 ft·4 sec·2nd Avenue Northeast
2
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.1 mi·37 sec·East Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 69
8.8 mi·12 min·River Avenue South
4
Turn left onto US 69
15 mi·20 min·US 69
5
Turn left onto CR D20
3.4 mi·5 min·190th Street
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward Somerset Road
7
Merge onto I 35
59 mi·1 hr 4 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
9
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4.0 mi·5 min·John MacVicar Freeway
Toward I 235 West: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 8BToward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East VillageUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn AvenueUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.3 mi·34 sec·Pennsylvania Avenue
13
Turn left onto East University Avenue
100 ft·8 sec·East University Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just under two hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. You could depart anytime, but an early start will give you ample time to settle into Des Moines. There are no designated stops mentioned, so feel free to make a quick pit stop as needed, though the longest stretch is 59 miles, which is a manageable distance for most. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you get closer to Des Moines; the estimated fuel cost is $14, so plan accordingly.
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 46.3 miles from Belmond, IA, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59 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 20 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.3 miles or 1h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 32m
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 Belmond, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Belmond, IA
This is one driving day of about 92.7 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Belmond, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 59 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 92 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East Main Street
Turn right onto East Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
27.8 mi into trip|~40m in|I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
86.8 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
8
91.7 mi into trip|~1h 50m 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
92 mi into trip|~1h 51m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.49 one way
$28.99 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$15.91
$31.82
premium
$4.89
$17.84
$35.68
diesel
$5.61
$20.47
$40.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.8
0
$9.73
$4.45
Efficient EV
23.2
0
$8.11
$3.71
EV Truck/SUV
37.1
0
$12.98
$5.93
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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 18, 2026
Origin
Belmond, IA
Late night
in Belmond on Tuesday
Local time
4:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Des Moines, IA
Late night
in Des Moines on Tuesday
Local time
4:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Sunny
WNW 10 to 18 mph1% chanceLive 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
12 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
1h 52m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 84% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I 35 and US 69. You'll experience a consistent pace for the most part, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 59 miles on I 35. While the majority is interstate, you'll also navigate sections on River Avenue South, offering a slight shift in scenery and speed. Expect a smooth, predictable drive that prioritizes efficient travel over winding backroads.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 69. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Main Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 92.7 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.8 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Des Moines, capital of Iowa, is in the western region of the American Midwest. Des Moines is the largest city in Iowa and the annual site of the Iowa State Fair and numerous cultural festivals during warm weather months. History enthusiasts will find 110 historic sites in and around the city as part of the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area. The city appeals to travelers with an interest in the arts who marvel at the architecture of the State Capitol with its five domes, including the large main dome with its gleaming 23-karat gold surface. The city has a good art museum, a symphony that performs in the downtown Civic Center (along with opera, ballet, and other performing arts), and a big annual arts festival that draws visitors from across Iowa and beyond.
Top landmarks
•Iowa State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Iowa
•St. Ambrose Cathedral — church in Iowa, United States
•Des Moines Art Center — art museum in Des Moines, Iowa
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 92.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Des Moines, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.8 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Des Moines, IA before heading back.
