Des Moines to Hawarden is 238 miles and takes about 4 hours 33 minutes via I 80 and I 29, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Iowa. For the most part, you'll be on major interstate highways, making for a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day trip, this route is ideal if you're looking for a quick connection between these two cities without significant detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
119 miles from Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
94.8 mi
1h 41m
I 29
79.1 mi
1h 25m
K18N
19.9 mi
27m
I 880
16.7 mi
17m
John MacVicar Freeway
9 mi
11m
Buchanan Avenue
6 mi
8m
State Highway 12
5.4 mi
7m
Sioux River Road
2.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 94.8 mi, about 1h 41m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,582 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,907
Quietest
2 AM
~131 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines, IA and Hawarden, 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 right at fork onto I 880
17 mi·17 min·I 880
Exit 27Toward I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux CityUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 0BToward I 29 North: Sioux City
10
Merge onto I 29
79 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 29
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward IA 12 North: Riverside BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto IA 12
2.0 mi·4 min·Riverside Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on IA 12
2.8 mi·3 min·Sioux River Road
14
Continue on IA 12
5.4 mi·7 min·State Highway 12
15
Turn right onto CR K18
20 mi·27 min·K18N
16
Continue on CR K18
6.0 mi·8 min·Buchanan Avenue
17
At end of road, turn left onto IA 10; CR K18
321 ft·6 sec·State Highway 10
18
Continue on IA 10
0.7 mi·1 min·10th Street
19
Turn left onto Central Avenue
344 ft·15 sec·Central Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4.5-hour drive time, leaving Des Moines in the morning will allow you to reach Hawarden by lunchtime. You'll have only one recommended stop, so plan for a single break to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. The $42 fuel estimate is based on the 238 miles, so factor that into your budget. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches on I 80, to ensure you have enough to reach a service area.
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 119 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.8 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 52 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119 miles or 2h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hawarden, 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 238 miles and 4h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 94.8 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 200.8 — 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
9
104.6 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|I 880
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880 toward I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 27
Toward I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux City
6
121.3 mi into trip|~2h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 29 North: Sioux City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 0B
Toward I 29 North: Sioux City
6
200.8 mi into trip|~3h 39m in
Take the exit toward IA 12 North: Riverside Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward IA 12 North: Riverside Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.15 one way
$70.29 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$38.80
$77.60
premium
$4.72
$44.19
$88.38
diesel
$4.80
$44.94
$89.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.4
0
$24.99
$11.42
Efficient EV
59.5
0
$20.83
$9.52
EV Truck/SUV
95.2
1
$33.32
$15.23
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Des Moines, IA
Late night
in Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNW 7 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Hawarden, IA
Late night
in Hawarden on Sunday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Rain Showers
ENE 10 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 33m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 drive is predominantly on interstates, with 86% of the route utilizing highways. You'll experience a long stretch of 94.8 miles on I 80 before transitioning to other main roads. Expect a consistent cruising experience with frequent exits on the interstate portions. The final section, K18N, will feel more like rural cruising as you approach your destination.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.8 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 29. You will hit about 13 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 238 miles you will encounter 13 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 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,359 ft873 ft
Total Climb
832 ft
Total Descent
524 ft
Highest Point
1,359 ft
~221 mi in
Elevation Range
487 ft
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 Hawarden, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Sioux City 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.
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 4h 33m. Total distance: 238 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.8 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Hawarden, 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. There are 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Hawarden, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
