Embarking on a journey from Hull, IA, to Des Moines, IA, covers 253.9 miles and will take you approximately 4 hours and 51 minutes. This drive is easily manageable as a single-day trip, with a modest fuel cost estimated at $40. You'll primarily navigate on I-80, US-75, and South Main Avenue, experiencing a mixed drive profile as you traverse the heart of the Midwest. This route offers a straightforward passage, making it a practical choice for those looking to cover ground efficiently within Iowa.
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
126.9 miles from Hull, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
94.9 mi
1h 41m
US 75
30.5 mi
37m
South Main Avenue
16.3 mi
22m
I 880
16 mi
17m
John MacVicar Freeway
8.9 mi
11m
County Road K52
8 mi
10m
Harrison Avenue
1 mi
1m
20th Street Southeast
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 94.9 mi, about 1h 41m
Traffic on I-29
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,189 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,473
Quietest
2 AM
~75 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Hull, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 18
0.2 mi·25 sec·Black Forest Road
3
Turn left onto County Road K52
8.0 mi·10 min·County Road K52
4
Turn right onto B40
0.5 mi·52 sec·400th Street
5
Continue on B40
0.5 mi·1 min·9th Street Southeast
6
Turn left onto Harrison Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·Harrison Avenue
7
Turn right onto 20th Street Southeast
1.0 mi·2 min·20th Street Southeast
8
Turn left onto US 75
16 mi·22 min·South Main Avenue
9
Take the ramp onto US 75
30 mi·37 min·US 75
Toward Sioux CityUse the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 29: Sioux City, Council BluffsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
73 mi·1 hr 19 min
Toward I 29 South: Council Bluffs, Sioux Gateway Airport
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 71Toward I 880 East: Des Moines
13
Continue on I 880
16 mi·17 min·I 880
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·43 sec
Exit 16AToward I 80 East: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 80
95 mi·1 hr 41 min·I 80
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 235
8.9 mi·11 min·John MacVicar Freeway
Exit 123AToward I 235 East: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 8BToward East Village, East 6th Street, Pennsylvania AvenueUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.4 mi·47 sec·Pennsylvania Avenue
19
Turn left onto East University Avenue
100 ft·8 sec·East University Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 51-minute drive, departing in the morning will allow you to reach Des Moines with ample time for afternoon activities. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before heading into the longest stretch of 94.9 miles on I-80, and consider topping up before you leave Hull. The estimated fuel cost of $40 is a good budgeting baseline for this trip across Iowa.
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 126.9 miles from Hull, IA, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.9 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 56 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.9 miles or 2h 31m 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 59m
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 Hull, 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 Hull, IA
This is one driving day of about 253.9 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Hull, 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 I 80 for about 94.9 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 27.7 and 253.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
27.7 mi into trip|~39m in|US 75
Take the ramp onto US 75 toward Sioux City
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Sioux City
7
58.2 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 29: Sioux City, Council Bluffs
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 29: Sioux City, Council Bluffs
8
148.5 mi into trip|~2h 55m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 16A
Toward I 80 East: Des Moines
8
244.1 mi into trip|~4h 37m in|I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway toward I 235 East: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123A
Toward I 235 East: Des Moines
8
253.1 mi into trip|~4h 49m in
Take the exit toward East Village, East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue
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 Village, East 6th Street, Pennsylva...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.50 one way
$74.99 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$41.39
$82.79
premium
$4.72
$47.14
$94.28
diesel
$4.80
$47.94
$95.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.2
0
$26.66
$12.19
Efficient EV
63.5
0
$22.22
$10.16
EV Truck/SUV
101.6
1
$35.55
$16.25
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 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
Hull, IA
Late night
in Hull on Sunday
Local time
3:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Clear
NE 5 mph1% 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
3:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph3% 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
4 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
4h 51m 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 route offers a mixed driving experience, with 59% of it being highway. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 94.9 miles on I-80, which provides a consistent pace. While much of the drive focuses on efficient travel, the inclusion of US-75 and South Main Avenue suggests a transition to more local road conditions at times. Expect a drive that balances open highway cruising with segments that may require slightly more attention as you move through different types of terrain and traffic.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.9 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 27.7 miles in near US 75.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 253.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 27.7 miles (US 75): Lane positioning matters here; at 58.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,443 ft873 ft
Total Climb
454 ft
Total Descent
1,025 ft
Highest Point
1,443 ft
Elevation Range
571 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hull, IA and Des Moines, IA, road signs point toward Sioux City, Council Bluffs and Sioux Gateway Airport.
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 4h 51m. Total distance: 253.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.9 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 27.7 miles (US 75): Lane positioning matters here; at 58.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Des Moines, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
