If you are planning a quick getaway from Des Moines to Iowa Falls, you are looking at an efficient 82.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 37 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination with minimal time behind the wheel. You can expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the round trip, making it an affordable excursion within the Midwest. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, you do not need to worry about splitting the travel over multiple days. It serves as a practical connection between these two Iowa locations, offering a direct path for those prioritizing speed and simplicity over complex navigation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.1 miles from Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
54 mi
58m
US 20
15.1 mi
17m
US 65
5.1 mi
8m
John MacVicar Freeway
4.8 mi
5m
East University Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Rocksylvania Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
East 14th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Commercial Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 54 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines, IA and Iowa Falls, 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·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
8
Merge onto US 20
15 mi·17 min·US 20
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward US 65: Iowa Falls, Hubbard
10
Turn left onto US 65
5.1 mi·8 min·US 65
11
Turn right onto Rocksylvania Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Rocksylvania Avenue
12
Turn left onto Commercial Street
331 ft·9 sec·Commercial Street
13
Arrive at destination
Commercial Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the 82.3-mile trip in one go without needing to schedule formal stops, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always a smart move given the $13 estimated cost. Since the route involves significant highway miles, stay alert during the 54-mile stretch on I-35 where traffic speeds will be at their highest. Being a direct, interstate-heavy route, it is best to check for any major construction or traffic delays on I-35 before you head out. Embracing the simplicity of this quick trip allows you to spend less time driving and more time enjoying your destination.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 41.1 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.1 miles or 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Iowa Falls, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Des Moines, IA
This is one driving day of about 82.3 miles and 1h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Des Moines, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 54 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 76.2 — 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
60.6 mi into trip|~1h 8m in
Take the exit toward US 20 East: Waterloo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
5
76.2 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 65: Iowa Falls, Hubbard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 65: Iowa Falls, Hubbard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.87 one way
$25.73 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$14.13
$28.25
premium
$4.89
$15.84
$31.68
diesel
$5.61
$18.17
$36.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.7
0
$8.64
$3.95
Efficient EV
20.6
0
$7.20
$3.29
EV Truck/SUV
32.9
0
$11.52
$5.27
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Iowa Falls, IA
Night
in Iowa Falls on Saturday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 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 highly efficient commute, as 96% of this trip is spent on highways. Your journey relies on a combination of I-35, US-20, and US-65 to get you to your destination. The most significant portion of your time on the road will be the 54-mile stretch along I-35, which provides a consistent, steady pace. Since this is a highway-focused drive, the experience is defined by predictable, high-speed travel rather than technical turns or winding backroads. Once you transition off the interstate onto US-20 and US-65, the character of the road remains functional and direct, ensuring you reach Iowa Falls without unnecessary detours.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 20. 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 1h 37m drive. You will face about 10 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.
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 Iowa Falls, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Hubbard 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.
The longest stretch is about 54 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Iowa Falls, IA before heading back.
