This 137.8-mile journey from Des Moines to Carter Lake, Iowa, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 37 minutes. It's primarily a highway-focused trip, making it ideal for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stop. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, this route offers an economical option for exploring within the Midwest. The majority of your drive will be spent on the interstate, providing a consistent and efficient travel experience. Consider this a practical and uncomplicated way to get from point A to point B.
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
68.9 miles from Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
118.5 mi
2h 7m
John MacVicar Freeway
9 mi
11m
I 80 Local
2.9 mi
3m
I 29
2 mi
2m
US 6
1.7 mi
2m
North 11th Street
1.1 mi
2m
East Locust Street
0.6 mi
1m
North 9th Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 118.5 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines, IA and Carter Lake, IA.
1
Start on East University Avenue
481 ft·39 sec·East University Avenue
2
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
0.1 mi·18 sec·East University Avenue
3
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.2 mi·17 sec·Pennsylvania Avenue
4
Continue on East 6th Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·East 6th Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-235 west
6
Merge onto I 235
9.0 mi·11 min·John MacVicar Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 80
95 mi·1 hr 41 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
24 mi·25 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Local; US 6
2.9 mi·3 min·I 80 Local; US 6
Exit 4BToward I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council BluffsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 29; US 6
2.0 mi·2 min·I 29; US 6
Toward I 29 North: Sioux CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 6
1.7 mi·2 min·US 6
Toward I 480 West, US 6 West
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 3Toward 14th Street, Old Market District, Creighton University
13
Turn right onto North 14th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·North 14th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Turn right onto Izard Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·Izard Street
15
Continue on North 11th Street
1.1 mi·2 min·North 11th Street
16
Turn right onto East Locust Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East Locust Street
17
Turn left onto North 9th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·North 9th Street
18
Arrive at destination
North 9th Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 37 minutes, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Leaving Des Moines in the morning will allow you to arrive in Carter Lake with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can easily plan your breaks around your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a major exit is a considerable 118.5 miles on I 80. It's a good idea to top off your tank before leaving Des Moines to ensure a smooth drive.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.9 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.5 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 30 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.9 miles or 1h 17m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carter Lake, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Des Moines, 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 Des Moines, IA
This is one driving day of about 137.8 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Des Moines, 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 I 80 for about 118.5 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 134.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|East University Avenue
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Pennsylvania Avenue
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
104.6 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebrask...
9
128.3 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|I 80 Local; US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Local; US 6 toward I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council Bluffs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4B
Toward I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council Blu...
6
134.8 mi into trip|~2h 29m in
Take the exit toward 14th Street, Old Market District, Creighton University
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 3
Toward 14th Street, Old Market District, Creigh...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.54 one way
$43.09 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.65
$47.31
premium
$4.89
$26.52
$53.04
diesel
$5.61
$30.42
$60.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.3
0
$14.47
$6.61
Efficient EV
34.5
0
$12.06
$5.51
EV Truck/SUV
55.1
0
$19.29
$8.82
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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 15, 2026
Origin
Des Moines, IA
Morning
in Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
9:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Carter Lake, IA
Morning
in Carter Lake on Sunday
Local time
9:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Avoca, IA
69 mi in
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
24 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
2h 37m 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?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 97% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 80, including an uninterrupted stretch of 118.5 miles. While the main roads are primarily interstate, there are brief transitions onto local highway sections. This means you'll encounter consistent speeds for most of the trip, with some minor variations as you approach your destination. It's a drive characterized by its efficiency and directness, rather than winding scenic byways.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.5 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and John MacVicar Freeway. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East University Avenue.
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 137.8 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 0.1 miles (East University Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.2 miles (Pennsylvania Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 104.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Des Moines, IA to Carter Lake, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Omaha Nebraska along the way.
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 2h 37m. Total distance: 137.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.5 miles on I 80. 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 Carter Lake, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East University Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.2 miles (Pennsylvania Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 104.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Carter Lake, IA before heading back.
