If you are planning a journey from Cherokee to Des Moines, expect a drive covering 181.6 miles through the heart of the Iowa Midwest. You should budget about 2 hours and 51 minutes for this trip, making it a manageable one-day excursion. Given the manageable distance, there is no need to split this into an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Plan to set aside approximately $27 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the route relies on local roads like South 2nd Street and East Main Street rather than high-speed interstates, this trip offers a more grounded, community-focused travel experience across the state.
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
90.3 miles from Cherokee, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
220th Street
92.4 mi
1h 46m
I 35
54.5 mi
59m
20th Avenue
9.2 mi
12m
Armstrong Avenue
6 mi
8m
John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi
5m
530th Street
3.7 mi
5m
State Highway 7
2.1 mi
2m
V Avenue
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 92.4 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cherokee, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on this road
104 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 59
156 ft·9 sec·South 2nd Street
3
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.3 mi·2 min·East Main Street
4
Continue on State Highway 977
0.4 mi·36 sec·State Highway 977
5
Continue on 530th Street
3.7 mi·5 min·530th Street
6
Turn right onto IA 7
2.0 mi·2 min·V Avenue
7
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi·2 min·1st Street
8
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi·2 min·State Highway 7
9
Continue on IA 7
1.1 mi·1 min·Highway 7
10
Turn right onto 20th Avenue
9.2 mi·12 min·20th Avenue
11
Continue on CR M27
6.0 mi·8 min·Armstrong Avenue
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
92 mi·1 hr 46 min·220th Street
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
14
Merge onto I 35
54 mi·59 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
16
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4.0 mi·5 min·John MacVicar Freeway
Toward I 235 West: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 8BToward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East VillageUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn AvenueUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.3 mi·34 sec·Pennsylvania Avenue
20
Turn left onto East University Avenue
100 ft·8 sec·East University Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Trip Plan
Because this route lacks high-speed highway segments, your travel time can fluctuate depending on traffic and local road conditions, so give yourself a little buffer in your schedule. Aim to depart early in the day to take full advantage of daylight, as navigating local turns is always easier when visibility is high. With only one recommended stop planned, you have plenty of flexibility to decide where to pause during your 2-hour and 51-minute transit. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the drive, as the constant turning and local road speeds can impact your overall efficiency. Since you aren't tied to a major highway, feel free to adjust your pace to ensure you reach Des Moines feeling refreshed.
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 90.3 miles from Cherokee, IA, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.4 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 40 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.3 miles or 1h 52m 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 57m
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 Cherokee, 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 Cherokee, IA
This is one driving day of about 180.5 miles and 3h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Cherokee, 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 220th Street for about 92.4 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 179.9 — 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|US 59 / South 2nd Street
Turn left onto US 59 / South 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
5
120.2 mi into trip|~2h 27m in|I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
174.7 mi into trip|~3h 26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
8
179.6 mi into trip|~3h 32m 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
179.9 mi into trip|~3h 33m 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
$28.22 one way
$56.44 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.98
$61.97
premium
$4.89
$34.74
$69.47
diesel
$5.61
$39.85
$79.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.2
0
$18.95
$8.66
Efficient EV
45.1
0
$15.79
$7.22
EV Truck/SUV
72.2
0
$25.27
$11.55
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Cherokee, IA
Night
in Cherokee on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Des Moines, IA
Night
in Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
11:37 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
2 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 34m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 181.6-mile path is best described as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a fast-paced interstate sprint. With a highway share of 0%, you won't find yourself cruising on monotonous multi-lane roads; instead, you will navigate local thoroughfares like Highway 977 and East Main Street. The lack of long, uninterrupted highway stretches—highlighted by the 0-mile longest stretch on South 2nd Street—means you will need to stay alert at every intersection. Expect a consistent, hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention as you transition between local road segments. It is a true surface-street journey that keeps you engaged with the local landscape from start to finish.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.4 mi on 220th Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 US 59 / South 2nd Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 180.5 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 (US 59 / South 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 120.2 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.7 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 34m. Total distance: 180.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92.4 miles on 220th Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 59 / South 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 120.2 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Des Moines, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
