Des Moines to New London is 146.1 miles and takes about 2h 56m via East University Avenue and US 34, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, specifically crossing from central Iowa to the southeastern part of the state. Given its relatively short duration and turn-heavy local drive profile, it's a trip best suited for a single, straightforward travel day. Plan for a bit of navigation as you'll be on a mix of roads, not just a single highway, making it a more engaged driving experience.
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
73 miles from Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East University Avenue
134.6 mi
2h 41m
US 34
5.3 mi
6m
Avenue of the Saints
2.3 mi
2m
Northeast University Avenue
1.8 mi
2m
260th Street
1.4 mi
2m
West Main Street
0.5 mi
1m
North Oak Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
East University Avenue
— 134.6 mi, about 2h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines, IA and New London, IA.
1
Start on East University Avenue
481 ft·39 sec·East University Avenue
2
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
9.1 mi·16 min·East University Avenue
3
Continue on IA 163
1.8 mi·2 min·Northeast University Avenue
4
Continue on IA 163
125 mi·2 hr 24 min·East University Avenue
5
Merge onto US 34; US 218; IA 27; IA 163
2.3 mi·2 min·Avenue of the Saints
6
Take the exit onto US 34; IA 163
0.3 mi·32 sec·US 34; IA 163
Exit 42Toward US 34 East, 163 East: Mount Pleasant, Burlington
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 34; IA 163
5.0 mi·6 min·US 34; IA 163
Exit 42Toward US 34 East, IA 163 East: Burlington
8
Turn left onto 260th Street
1.4 mi·2 min·260th Street
9
Continue on West Main Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Main Street
10
Turn left onto North Oak Street
447 ft·24 sec·North Oak Street
11
Turn left
71 ft·5 sec
12
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 1-day trip covering 146.1 miles and taking under 3 hours, you have the flexibility to depart anytime. Leaving mid-morning could allow for a relaxed start and still get you to New London with plenty of afternoon time. There's only one recommended stop, so consider making it a brief fuel or stretch break. Pay attention to road signs as you transition between East University Avenue, US 34, and the Avenue of the Saints to stay on track. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, it's an economical drive, so top off your tank before leaving Des Moines to ensure you have ample range.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.6 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 32 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73 miles or 1h 30m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New London, 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 146.1 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 East University Avenue for about 134.6 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 146 — 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
138.8 mi into trip|~2h 46m in|US 34; IA 163
Take the exit onto US 34; IA 163 toward US 34 East, 163 East: Mount Pleasant, Burlington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 42
Toward US 34 East, 163 East: Mount Pleasant, Bu...
7
139 mi into trip|~2h 46m in|US 34; IA 163
Keep slight right at fork onto US 34; IA 163 toward US 34 East, IA 163 East: Burlington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 42
Toward US 34 East, IA 163 East: Burlington
4
146 mi into trip|~2h 56m in|North Oak Street
Turn left onto North Oak Street
Navigation decision point
4
146 mi into trip|~2h 56m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.84 one way
$45.68 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$25.08
$50.16
premium
$4.89
$28.12
$56.23
diesel
$5.61
$32.26
$64.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.8
0
$15.34
$7.01
Efficient EV
36.5
0
$12.78
$5.84
EV Truck/SUV
58.4
0
$20.45
$9.35
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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 18, 2026
Origin
Des Moines, IA
Late night
in Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
3:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Sunny
WNW 10 to 18 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:33AM CDT until April 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 17 at 10:38PM CDT until April 24 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
New London, IA
Late night
in New London on Sunday
Local time
3:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°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
1 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 56m 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?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting you'll encounter frequent changes in direction rather than long, straight stretches. With a highway share of just 4%, most of your journey will be on less direct, local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 134.6 miles on East University Avenue, which likely forms the initial part of your journey before transitioning to other routes. Expect a driving experience that requires more attention to navigation and speed adjustments compared to a pure interstate cruise.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 134.6 mi on East University Avenue.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
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. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East University Avenue.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Des Moines, IA to New London, IA is easy. At 2h 56m with 4% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 138.8 miles (US 34; IA 163): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139 miles (US 34; IA 163): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 134.6 miles on East University Avenue. 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East University Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 138.8 miles (US 34; IA 163): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139 miles (US 34; IA 163): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at New London, IA before heading back.
