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Trip from Des Moines, IA to Fort Madison, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 32m

Distance

174.8 mi

281 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 20m ★
6 AM
3h 32m
8 AM
3h 57m
10 AM
3h 41m
12 PM
3h 39m
3 PM
3h 42m
5 PM
3h 56m
8 PM
3h 25m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Des Moines, IA, IA

Des Moines, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city and county seat in Lee County, Iowa, United States

Fort Madison, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 174.8-mile journey from Des Moines to Fort Madison, Iowa, will take you approximately 3 hours and 32 minutes. It's a straightforward, single-day trip that’s easy to manage, with a projected fuel cost of around $27. You'll primarily navigate local roads, including East University Avenue and Northeast University Avenue, before merging onto the Avenue of the Saints. Given its manageable length and the nature of the route, this drive is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. The drive stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout.

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

87.4 miles from Des Moines, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
East University Avenue — —
Northeast University Avenue — —
Avenue of the Saints — —
IA 2 — —
Highway 2 — —
Avenue O — —
Highway 61 — —
Avenue L — —

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: East University Avenue — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines, IA and Fort Madison, IA.

1

Start on East University Avenue

482 ft · 39 sec · East University Avenue
2

Turn uturn onto East University Avenue

9.1 mi · 16 min · East University Avenue
3

Continue on Northeast University Avenue

1.8 mi · 2 min · Northeast University Avenue
4

Continue on East University Avenue

125 mi · 2 hr 24 min · East University Avenue
5

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

25 mi · 28 min · Avenue of the Saints
6

Take the exit slight right toward IA 2: Donnellson, Fort Madison

0.4 mi · 59 sec · IA 2: Donnellson, Fort Madison
7

Turn left onto State Highway 2

8.9 mi · 12 min · State Highway 2
8

Continue on Avenue O

1.7 mi · 2 min · Avenue O
9

Continue on Old Highway 61

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Old Highway 61
10

Continue on Avenue L

1.5 mi · 2 min · Avenue L
11

Turn left onto 18th Street

0.2 mi · 21 sec · 18th Street
12

Turn right onto Avenue H

0.8 mi · 1 min · Avenue H
13

Turn right onto Avenue I

138 ft · 12 sec · Avenue I
14

Turn left

62 ft · 4 sec
15

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

For this 174.8-mile drive taking about 3 hours and 32 minutes, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best. Since it's a single-day trip with a fuel cost estimated at $27 and only one recommended stop, you can easily complete it without feeling rushed. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid peak traffic in Des Moines and arrive in Fort Madison with ample daylight. Keep an eye out for the frequent turns characteristic of this local road drive; a GPS is highly recommended to navigate the Avenue of the Saints and other main roads smoothly.

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 87.4 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 46m into the drive.

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 38 miles or 46m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 87.4 miles or 1h 46m 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 54m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Madison, 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 174.8 miles and 3h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Ottumwa, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ottumwa, IA

87 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Pella, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ottumwa, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 87.4 miles from Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Olympic Flame Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152434361

Visit website

HoQ Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

0.8 mi

Tumea & Sons Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

1.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+15156307000

Visit website

Olympic Flame Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152434361

Visit website

HoQ Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $30 to $50

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 5–9 pm

+15152441213

Visit website

Tumea & Sons Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15152827976

Visit website

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Inexpensiv

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+15152622775

Visit website

Café Madeleine

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $100 or ab

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 5–8:30 pm

+15158150924

Visit website

Green Gourmet Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 112.4

Fairfield, Iowa

Hours: 11:30 am–2:30 pm

+16414722277

Allora Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–1:30 pm

+15152747787

Visit website

Pad Thai Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 137.4

Mt Pleasant, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–1:30 pm

+13193858520

Visit website

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+15156307000

Visit website

Smokey Row Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 62.4

Oskaloosa, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+16416761600

Visit website

The Perk Of Pella

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 37.5

Pella, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+16416288222

Visit website

The Sanctuary

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 37.5

Pella, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+16416284911

Visit website

University Library Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+15152550433

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.33 one way

$54.66 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $30.01 $60.01
premium $4.89 $33.64 $67.28
diesel $5.61 $38.59 $77.19

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 52.4 0 $18.35 $8.39
Efficient EV 43.7 0 $15.30 $6.99
EV Truck/SUV 69.9 0 $24.47 $11.19

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

20 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

Night in Des Moines on Saturday

Local time

11:39 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fort Madison, IA

Night in Fort Madison on Saturday

Local time

11:39 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°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

21 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 32m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for most of this 174.8-mile route, with no highway percentage contributing to the mileage. This means you'll be navigating more varied road conditions and potentially lower speed limits for the entire 3 hours and 32 minutes. While there isn't a 'longest stretch' listed, the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests frequent intersections and changes in direction rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of open road. This driving style requires consistent attention and engagement behind the wheel.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Main road: East University Avenue.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Des Moines, IA to Fort Madison, IA is easy. At 3h 32m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Des Moines, IA to Fort Madison, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

About the Cities

Starting in Des Moines, IA

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 174.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Des Moines, IA to Fort Madison, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Madison, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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