Des Moines to Holstein is 164.1 miles and takes about 3h 10m via US 20 and I 35, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. With 99% of this route on highways, you'll experience a straightforward drive with minimal time spent on slower surface roads. This is a practical option for a same-day trip, allowing for a quick connection between these two points without extensive planning.
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
82.1 miles from Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 20
101.8 mi
1h 58m
I 35
54.3 mi
59m
John MacVicar Freeway
4.8 mi
5m
US 59
1 mi
2m
East University Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
East 14th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
West 2nd Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 101.8 mi, about 1h 58m
Traffic on I-235
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,949 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,598
Quietest
2 AM
~186 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 64 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 Holstein, IA.
1
Start on East University Avenue
481 ft·39 sec·East University Avenue
2
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·East University Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 69
0.4 mi·57 sec·East 14th Street
4
Take the ramp
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet
5
Merge onto I 235
4.8 mi·5 min·John MacVicar Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 35
54 mi·59 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·56 sec
Toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge
8
Merge onto US 20
102 mi·1 hr 58 min·US 20
9
Take the exit onto US 59
1.0 mi·2 min·US 59
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn left onto West 2nd Street
61 ft·2 sec·West 2nd Street
11
Arrive at destination
West 2nd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 10m duration, leaving Des Moines in the morning allows ample time to reach Holstein before evening. The $26 fuel cost is manageable for a single-day trip, so plan to fill up before departing or at a major interchange along I 35. Since this is a relatively short drive with most of it on highways, you'll have flexibility with stops. A good strategy is to drive the initial 101.8-mile stretch on US 20 before considering a break, as this is the longest segment without a major road change.
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 82.1 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.8 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 36 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.1 miles or 1h 34m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Holstein, 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 164.1 miles and 3h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 US 20 for about 101.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 82.1 miles from Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 163.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|East University Avenue
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
1 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STree...
5
1.8 mi into trip|~4m in|I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Merge onto I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
60.9 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge
5
163.1 mi into trip|~3h 8m in|US 59
Take the exit onto US 59
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.44 one way
$50.88 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$27.90
$55.79
premium
$4.93
$31.84
$63.68
diesel
$5.60
$36.17
$72.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.2
0
$17.23
$7.88
Efficient EV
41
0
$14.36
$6.56
EV Truck/SUV
65.6
0
$22.97
$10.50
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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 Sep 4, 2026
Origin
Des Moines, IA
Night
in Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
10:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
SSW 5 to 8 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 4 at 3:05AM CDT until September 5 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 4 at 3:05AM CDT until September 5 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
Destination
Holstein, IA
Night
in Holstein on Saturday
Local time
10:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
S 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 4 at 3:05AM CDT until September 5 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 4 at 3:05AM CDT until September 5 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
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
5 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
3h 10m 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?
You'll spend nearly all of your time on highways, with 99% of the 164.1 miles on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on these highways is 101.8 miles, primarily on US 20. Expect to encounter a consistent flow of traffic and relatively few exits for a significant portion of the drive. The transition to surface roads will likely occur closer to your destination in Holstein.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.8 mi on US 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and I 35. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East University Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 10m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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
The longest stretch is about 101.8 miles on US 20. 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: at 0.1 miles (East University Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Holstein, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
