Traveling from Des Moines to Osceola County covers 229.7 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should plan for a fuel budget of approximately $34 to complete the journey. Navigating through the heart of the Midwest, you will rely primarily on local roads like East University Avenue, East 14th Street, and US 69 rather than high-speed interstates. It is a straightforward trip that rewards drivers who prefer a more relaxed pace over the frantic speed of major highways.
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
114.8 miles from Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 20
92.8 mi
1h 47m
I 35
54.3 mi
59m
US 59
13.6 mi
18m
Silver Avenue
13.5 mi
19m
Roosevelt Avenue
13 mi
17m
20th Avenue
9.2 mi
12m
Armstrong Avenue
6 mi
8m
John MacVicar Freeway
4.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 92.8 mi, about 1h 47m
Traffic on I-235
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,808 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~182 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
20.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 13 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 Osceola County, 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
93 mi·1 hr 47 min·US 20
9
Turn right onto CR M27
6.0 mi·8 min·Armstrong Avenue
10
Continue on CR M27
9.2 mi·12 min·20th Avenue
11
Turn left onto IA 7
1.1 mi·1 min·Highway 7
12
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi·2 min·State Highway 7
13
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi·2 min·1st Street
14
Continue on IA 7
1.9 mi·2 min·V Avenue
15
Turn left onto IA 3
0.2 mi·22 sec·State Highway 3
16
Turn straight onto IA 3
3.1 mi·4 min·530th Street
17
Turn right onto IA 3
2.7 mi·3 min·State Highway 3
18
Turn right onto US 59
14 mi·18 min·US 59
19
Turn left onto US 59; IA 10
4.1 mi·5 min·470th Street
20
Continue on US 59; IA 10
7.2 mi·9 min·Silver Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on US 59
1.6 mi·2 min·South Rerick Avenue
22
Continue on US 59
6.0 mi·8 min·Silver Avenue
23
Turn left onto US 18; US 59
1.0 mi·1 min·320th Street
24
Turn right onto US 59
13 mi·17 min·Roosevelt Avenue
25
Turn right onto 190th Street
1.0 mi·3 min·190th Street
26
Turn left onto Silver Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Silver Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
Silver Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this journey is a turn-heavy local trek, aim for a morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and keep your focus sharp. You have the flexibility to plan around one strategic stop, which helps break up the 4-hour and 45-minute travel time effectively. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $34 estimate assumes consistent driving conditions, and local roads can sometimes impact your vehicle's efficiency. Because the route relies on East University Avenue, East 14th Street, and US 69, ensure your navigation system is set to prioritize these specific roads to avoid unnecessary detours. Staying alert is key, as the high frequency of turns means there is rarely a long, straight stretch to zone out on.
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 114.8 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.8 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 51 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.8 miles or 2h 11m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Osceola County, 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 229.7 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 92.8 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 154.1 — 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
4
154.1 mi into trip|~2h 57m in|CR M27 / Armstrong Avenue
Turn right onto CR M27 / Armstrong Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.92 one way
$67.84 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$37.45
$74.90
premium
$4.72
$42.65
$85.30
diesel
$4.80
$43.37
$86.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.9
0
$24.12
$11.03
Efficient EV
57.4
0
$20.10
$9.19
EV Truck/SUV
91.9
1
$32.16
$14.70
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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
1:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNW 7 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:14AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
Osceola County, IA
Late night
in Osceola County on Sunday
Local time
1:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:14AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
91°F
Lake City, IA
115 mi in
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
8 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 45m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features zero highway miles, meaning your speed will be dictated by local traffic and road conditions. Because there is no significant uninterrupted stretch—with the longest segment being 0 miles on East University Avenue—you will find yourself navigating constant turns and transitions. This profile creates a unique, hands-on driving experience that feels more like a cross-country local excursion than a standard highway commute. Be prepared for a steady, consistent pace that requires your full attention throughout the entire 229.7-mile trip.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.8 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 4h 45m drive. You will face about 14 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,564 ft873 ft
Total Climb
1,025 ft
Total Descent
334 ft
Highest Point
1,564 ft
~229.7 mi in
Elevation Range
692 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 92.8 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 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Osceola County, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
