Traveling from George to Des Moines covers 244.4 miles across the Iowa landscape. Expect to spend about 5 hours and 4 minutes on the road, making this a manageable single-day trip for most drivers. You should budget roughly $37 for fuel to complete the journey. Since the route stays entirely within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. While one stop is recommended to break up the time, the trip is straightforward enough to complete without an overnight stay. It serves as a practical connection between these two points, offering a balanced mix of local roads and interstate travel.
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
122.2 miles from George, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
220th Street
92.4 mi
1h 46m
I 35
54.5 mi
59m
20th Avenue
9.2 mi
12m
State Highway 3
8.6 mi
11m
IA 60 Business
7.5 mi
9m
320th Street
6.3 mi
8m
Armstrong Avenue
6 mi
8m
D Avenue
5.7 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 92.4 mi, about 1h 46m
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 George, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on North Main Street
377 ft·17 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto East Boiler Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·East Boiler Avenue
3
Turn right onto South Virginia Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Virginia Street
4
Continue on L14
5.7 mi·8 min·L14
5
Continue on CR L14
3.8 mi·5 min·Kennedy Avenue
6
Continue on CR L14
0.5 mi·1 min·Colfax Street
7
Turn left onto US 18; CR L14
6.0 mi·8 min·320th Street
8
Continue on US 18
0.7 mi·58 sec·West Park Street
9
Continue on US 18
0.3 mi·29 sec·320th Street
10
Turn right onto Western Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·Western Avenue
11
At end of road, turn left onto CR B20
360 ft·10 sec·West 16th Street
12
Turn right onto IA 60 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue
13
Take the ramp onto IA 60 Business
7.5 mi·9 min·IA 60 Business
14
Turn left onto L22
5.6 mi·7 min·Log Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto IA 10
1.0 mi·1 min·460th Street
16
Continue on IA 10
0.5 mi·1 min·Garfield Street
17
Continue on IA 10
3.5 mi·4 min·460th Street
18
Turn right onto IA 143
5.0 mi·6 min·Nettle Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on IA 143
5.7 mi·7 min·D Avenue
20
Continue on IA 143
1.3 mi·2 min·Ames Avenue
21
Turn left onto IA 3
5.0 mi·6 min·490th Street
22
Continue on IA 3
4.2 mi·5 min·State Highway 3
23
Continue on IA 3
2.5 mi·3 min·500th Street
24
Turn straight onto IA 3
4.4 mi·6 min·State Highway 3
25
Turn left onto IA 3
3.4 mi·4 min·530th Street
26
Turn right onto IA 7
2.0 mi·2 min·V Avenue
27
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi·2 min·1st Street
28
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi·2 min·State Highway 7
29
Continue on IA 7
1.1 mi·1 min·Highway 7
30
Turn right onto 20th Avenue
9.2 mi·12 min·20th Avenue
31
Continue on CR M27
6.0 mi·8 min·Armstrong Avenue
32
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
92 mi·1 hr 46 min·220th Street
33
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
34
Merge onto I 35
54 mi·59 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
36
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4.0 mi·5 min·John MacVicar Freeway
Toward I 235 West: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 8BToward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East VillageUse the slight right lane.
38
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn AvenueUse the slight right lane.
39
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.3 mi·34 sec·Pennsylvania Avenue
40
Turn left onto East University Avenue
100 ft·8 sec·East University Avenue
41
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour journey, plan to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic periods. Given the 244.4-mile distance, utilizing your single recommended stop to refuel and stretch your legs will help maintain your focus. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the initial 92.4-mile stretch on 220th Street, as services may be less frequent compared to the I-35 portion of the trip. Since the drive is compact enough for a single day, you have the flexibility to choose your own pace without needing to rush. Prioritizing a mid-trip break will ensure you arrive in Des Moines feeling refreshed rather than fatigued.
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 122.2 miles from George, IA, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.4 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 54 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.2 miles or 2h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 14m
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 George, 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 George, IA
This is one driving day of about 244.4 miles and 5h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from George, 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 220th Street for about 92.4 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 19 and 243.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
19 mi into trip|~29m in|CR B20 / West 16th Street
At end of road, turn left onto CR B20 / West 16th Street
Navigation decision point
6
27.2 mi into trip|~39m in|L22 / Log Avenue
Turn left onto L22 / Log Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
37.8 mi into trip|~54m in|IA 143 / Nettle Avenue
Turn right onto IA 143 / Nettle Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
243.5 mi into trip|~5h 2m 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
243.8 mi into trip|~5h 3m 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
$36.09 one way
$72.18 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$39.84
$79.69
premium
$4.72
$45.38
$90.76
diesel
$4.80
$46.15
$92.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.3
0
$25.66
$11.73
Efficient EV
61.1
0
$21.39
$9.78
EV Truck/SUV
97.8
1
$34.22
$15.64
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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
George, IA
Late night
in George on Sunday
Local time
2:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 10 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Des Moines, IA
Late night
in Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
2:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 7 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
6 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
5h 4m 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?
This drive features a mixed profile that transitions between rural paths and major thoroughfares. You will spend roughly 32% of your time on highways, with the journey anchored by stretches on 220th Street, I-35, and 20th Avenue. Be prepared for a significant initial leg, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 92.4 miles on 220th Street. The character of the road shifts as you leave the quieter local routes and merge onto the more heavily trafficked interstate system. You will find that the driving experience changes pace considerably once you transition from the rural segments onto the faster, high-speed sections of the highway.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.4 mi on 220th Street.
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 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 19 miles in near CR B20 / West 16th Street.
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 244.4 miles you will encounter 20 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 19 miles (CR B20 / West 16th Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.2 miles (L22 / Log Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.8 miles (IA 143 / Nettle Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 4m. Total distance: 244.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92.4 miles on 220th Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 19 miles (CR B20 / West 16th Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.2 miles (L22 / Log Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.8 miles (IA 143 / Nettle Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Des Moines, IA before the return drive.
