This 176.1-mile drive from Farley to Des Moines, Iowa, is a manageable one-day trip, taking about 3 hours and 36 minutes. You'll primarily travel on US 151 and the historic Lincoln Highway, with about 36% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest to Midwest journey is around $28. It offers a mixed driving experience, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. You can expect a single stop along the way, breaking up the drive nicely. This route is ideal if you're looking for a relatively quick and efficient journey between these two Iowa locations.
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
88.1 miles from Farley, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 151
39.9 mi
46m
Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi
43m
Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi
39m
73rd Street
24.4 mi
28m
IA 100
15.2 mi
18m
Farley Road
10.4 mi
18m
US 65
4.5 mi
5m
John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 151
— 39.9 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Farley, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on 1st Avenue West
0.4 mi·47 sec·1st Avenue West
2
Turn left onto CR Y13
0.3 mi·48 sec·Park Street Southwest
3
Continue on CR Y13
10 mi·18 min·Farley Road
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
5
Merge onto US 151
39 mi·44 min·US 151
6
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
1.1 mi·1 min·US 151; IA 13
7
Turn right onto IA 100
15 mi·18 min·IA 100
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
9
Merge onto US 30; US 218
2.4 mi·2 min·16th Avenue Southwest
10
Continue on US 30; US 218
24 mi·28 min·73rd Street
11
Continue on US 30
37 mi·43 min·Lincoln Highway
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
13
Turn left onto IA 330
34 mi·39 min·Marshalltown Boulevard
14
Continue on US 65; IA 330
0.7 mi·58 sec·Northeast Hubbell Avenue
15
Take the exit onto US 65
4.5 mi·5 min·US 65
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 137AToward I 235 West: Des MoinesUse the slight left lane.
17
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4.0 mi·5 min·John MacVicar Freeway
Toward I 235 West: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 8BToward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East VillageUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn AvenueUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.3 mi·34 sec·Pennsylvania Avenue
21
Turn left onto East University Avenue
100 ft·8 sec·East University Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 36-minute drive, starting your trip in the morning will give you ample time to reach Des Moines without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you can plan this break strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel ready for a stretch. The longest stretch without a significant break is nearly 40 miles on US 151, so keep that in mind for planning your refueling or rest stops. The estimated fuel cost of $28 is a helpful budget point, and since it's a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient for you.
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 88.1 miles from Farley, IA, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.9 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 39 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.1 miles or 1h 51m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Moines, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Farley, 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 Farley, IA
This is one driving day of about 176.1 miles and 3h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Farley, 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 151 for about 39.9 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 66.6 and 175.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
66.6 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshall...
7
166.1 mi into trip|~3h 22m in|US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
7
170.5 mi into trip|~3h 28m in
Take the exit toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 137A
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
8
175.2 mi into trip|~3h 34m in
Take the exit toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
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 8B
Toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, Ea...
8
175.5 mi into trip|~3h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Aven...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.53 one way
$55.06 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.23
$60.46
premium
$4.89
$33.89
$67.78
diesel
$5.61
$38.88
$77.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.8
0
$18.49
$8.45
Efficient EV
44
0
$15.41
$7.04
EV Truck/SUV
70.4
0
$24.65
$11.27
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Farley, IA
Late night
in Farley on Sunday
Local time
2:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Des Moines, IA
Late night
in Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
2:46 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
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 36m 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?
The character of this drive is a blend of highway and local roads, with 36% of the total mileage on highways. You'll encounter stretches on US 151, which forms the longest uninterrupted segment at 39.9 miles. The inclusion of the Lincoln Highway suggests a route with some historical context, likely offering a varied driving experience beyond just high-speed travel. Expect a mixed drive profile, meaning you'll transition between faster highway sections and potentially more scenic or slower-paced local roads as you progress towards Des Moines.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 39.9 mi on US 151.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 66.6 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 176.1 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 66.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 166.1 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Farley, IA to Des Moines, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marshalltown 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 36m. Total distance: 176.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 39.9 miles on US 151. 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Des Moines, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 66.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 166.1 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Des Moines, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
