Trip from Des Moines, IA to Lake City, IA

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

Drive Time

2h 15m

Distance

97.2 mi

156 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min

4 AM

2h 6m ★

6 AM

2h 16m

8 AM

2h 35m

10 AM

2h 22m

12 PM

2h 21m

3 PM

2h 23m

5 PM

2h 34m

8 PM

2h 10m

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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Des Moines, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Lake City, IA

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

Des Moines, IA to Lake City, IA is 97.2 miles and takes about 2h 15m via 360th Street, Northwest Granger Drive, and U Avenue, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Iowa. Expect a local drive with frequent turns, making it a less direct but potentially more engaging journey than a pure highway route. This is a straightforward, same-day excursion perfect for a leisurely drive.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

48.6 miles from Des Moines, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
360th Street	21.8 mi	30m
Northwest Granger Drive	15.6 mi	18m
U Avenue	14.5 mi	19m
I 80	7.3 mi	8m
144 Diagonal	6.9 mi	9m
335th Street	4.1 mi	6m
Indiana Avenue	4 mi	5m
Southeast Grimes Boulevard	2.6 mi	3m

Longest stretch: 360th Street — 21.8 mi, about 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines, IA and Lake City, IA.

Start on East University Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · East University Avenue

Turn right onto 2nd Avenue

2.5 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue

Continue on IA 415

0.9 mi · 1 min · Northwest 2nd Street

Turn left

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Toward I 35 South, I 80 West

Merge onto I 80; I 35

7.3 mi · 8 min · I 80; I 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec

Exit 127 Toward IA 141 West: Urbandale, Grimes Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto IA 141

195 ft · 3 sec · Northwest Urbandale Drive

Continue on IA 141

2.6 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard

Continue on IA 141

1.0 mi · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard

Continue on IA 141

2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street

Continue on IA 141

16 mi · 18 min · Northwest Granger Drive

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec

Toward US 169: Ogden, Adel

Turn right onto US 169

1.8 mi · 2 min · N Avenue

Continue on US 169

0.5 mi · 46 sec · H Avenue

Turn left onto 335th Street

3.1 mi · 4 min · 335th Street

At end of road, turn left onto East Avenue

470 ft · 12 sec · East Avenue

Continue on 335th Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · 335th Street

Turn right onto IA 144

0.9 mi · 1 min · D Avenue

Turn straight onto IA 144

2.5 mi · 3 min · 325th Street

Turn straight onto IA 144

1.1 mi · 1 min · Apple Road

Continue on IA 144

6.9 mi · 9 min · 144 Diagonal

Continue on IA 144

3.3 mi · 4 min · U Avenue

Continue on IA 144

0.3 mi · 58 sec · West Main Street

Turn left onto IA 144

496 ft · 16 sec · South 9th Street

Continue on IA 144

0.2 mi · 26 sec · 9th N Street

Continue on IA 144

0.2 mi · 17 sec · 9th Street North

Continue on IA 144

4.4 mi · 5 min · U Avenue

Continue on IA 144

0.6 mi · 1 min · Mc Intyre Street

Continue on IA 144

6.8 mi · 9 min · U Avenue

Continue on IA 144

4.0 mi · 5 min · Indiana Avenue

Turn left onto IA 175

15 mi · 20 min · 360th Street

Continue on IA 4; IA 175

2.0 mi · 3 min · 5th Street

Continue on IA 4; IA 175

7.0 mi · 9 min · 360th Street

Continue on IA 175

1.4 mi · 2 min · East Main Street

Turn right onto North Center Street

45 ft · 1 sec · North Center Street

Arrive at destination

North Center Street

Trip Plan

Given the 2h 15m duration and 97.2-mile distance, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. With no designated stops, you have the freedom to pull over as needed, perhaps to stretch your legs or grab a snack in one of the smaller communities you pass through. The estimated fuel cost is around $15, so ensure your vehicle is adequately fueled before setting out. A practical tip for this turn-heavy route is to keep your navigation system readily accessible, as the numerous turns can be easy to miss if you're not paying close attention.

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 48.6 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.8 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 21 miles or 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 48.6 miles or 1h 7m 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 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake City, 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 97.2 miles and 2h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Des Moines, IA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on 360th Street for about 21.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

human settlement in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dallas Center, IA

49 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

Grimes, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Perry, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 48.6 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

Sol-Agave Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Grimes, Iowa

1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Vintage Road Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Granger, Iowa

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 20.8

Hours: 6:30 am–12 pm

+13193210534

Visit website

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

2.1 mi

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

Sol-Agave Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 13.9

Grimes, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152142975

Visit website

Flame The Taqueria

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 6.9

Johnston, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+15157238934

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

Tullpa Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 6.9

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152142327

Visit website

Vintage Road Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 20.8

Granger, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–12 pm

+13193210534

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

Life Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 13.9

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 13.9

Grimes, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 13.9

Grimes, Iowa

+18006360986

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 13.9

Grimes, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 13.9

Grimes, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 13.9

Grimes, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 13.9

Urbandale, Iowa

ChargePoint Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 41.7

Perry, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 41.7

Perry, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

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

Paris Banh Mi Windsor Heights

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 6.9

Windsor Heights, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–7:30 pm

+15152778888

Visit website

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 4 and 36.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4 mi into trip | ~7m in

Turn left toward I 35 South, I 80 West

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 35 South, I 80 West

4.4 mi into trip | ~8m in | I 80; I 35

Merge onto I 80; I 35

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

11.6 mi into trip | ~17m in

Take the exit toward IA 141 West: Urbandale, Grimes

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 127 Toward IA 141 West: Urbandale, Grimes

33.9 mi into trip | ~45m in

Take the exit toward US 169: Ogden, Adel

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 169: Ogden, Adel

36.6 mi into trip | ~49m in | 335th Street

Turn left onto 335th Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.20 one way

$30.39 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$16.68	$33.37
premium	$4.89	$18.71	$37.41
diesel	$5.61	$21.46	$42.92

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 34 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	29.2	$10.21	$4.67
Efficient EV	24.3	$8.50	$3.89
EV Truck/SUV	38.9	$13.61	$6.22

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (68% 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

Late night in Des Moines on Sunday

Local time

5:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lake City, IA

Late night in Lake City on Sunday

Local time

5:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°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

3 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

2h 15m 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?

This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' indicating you'll be navigating a series of smaller roads rather than a consistent highway. With only a 7% highway share, most of your time will be spent on local streets like 360th Street, Northwest Granger Drive, and U Avenue. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 21.8 miles on 360th Street, so be prepared for frequent adjustments in direction. This driving style offers a different pace, allowing for more intimate views of the surrounding landscape compared to high-speed travel.

Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 21.8 mi on 360th Street.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 4 miles in.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 15m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.4 miles (I 80; I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.

Between Des Moines, IA and Lake City, IA, road signs point toward Grimes and Adel.

Grimes

11.6 mi in | ~17m

Adel

33.9 mi in | ~45m

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 2h 15m. Total distance: 97.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (7%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 21.8 miles on 360th Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lake City, IA before heading back.

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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Trip from Des Moines, IA to Lake City, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Olympic Flame Restaurant

Vintage Road Coffee Co.

Olympic Flame Restaurant

HoQ Restaurant

Sol-Agave Restaurant

Flame The Taqueria

Tumea & Sons Restaurant

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

Café Madeleine

Tullpa Restaurant

Vintage Road Coffee Co.

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

Life Cafe

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Shell Recharge Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

University Library Cafe

Paris Banh Mi Windsor Heights

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Des Moines, IA

Lake City, IA

Same local time

3 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 15m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Des Moines, IA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Lake City, IA

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