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Trip from Lake View, IA to Des Moines, IA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 41m

Distance

115.8 mi

186 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 31m ★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 3m
10 AM
2h 49m
12 PM
2h 47m
3 PM
2h 50m
5 PM
3h 2m
8 PM
2h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Lake View, IA, IA

Lake View, IA

Maria Borisenko

Downtown Des Moines, IA, IA

Des Moines, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Lake View, IA to Des Moines, IA is 115.8 miles and takes about 2h 41m via 220th Street, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Iowa, making it a straightforward journey. Expect a drive characterized by frequent turns on local roads, rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. Given its relatively short duration and manageable fuel cost, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.

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

57.9 miles from Lake View, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
220th Street 20.5 mi 28m
Northwest Granger Drive 15.6 mi 18m
County Road N33 10.3 mi 13m
I 80 7.3 mi 8m
Union Avenue 7 mi 9m
144 Diagonal 6.9 mi 9m
US 71 6.1 mi 8m
330th Street 5 mi 7m
Longest stretch: 220th Street — 20.5 mi, about 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake View, IA and Des Moines, IA.

1

Start on IA 175

5.0 mi · 7 min · 330th Street
2

Turn right onto US 71; IA 175

3.7 mi · 5 min · Union Avenue
3

Continue on Union Avenue

3.2 mi · 4 min · Union Avenue
4

Continue on Hawthorne Avenue

1.9 mi · 2 min · Hawthorne Avenue
5

Turn left onto 120th Street

4.0 mi · 5 min · 120th Street
6

Turn right onto US 71

6.1 mi · 8 min · US 71
7

Turn left onto 180th Street

0.5 mi · 56 sec · 180th Street
8

Continue on 30th Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · 30th Street
9

Continue on 180th Street

0.5 mi · 44 sec · 180th Street
10

Turn right onto Noble Avenue

2.0 mi · 2 min · Noble Avenue
11

Turn left onto US 30

1.0 mi · 1 min · US 30
12

Continue on US 30

10 mi · 13 min · County Road N33
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Continue on US 30

21 mi · 28 min · 220th Street
14

Turn right onto IA 144

0.2 mi · 24 sec · 9th N Street
15

Continue on IA 144

496 ft · 18 sec · South 9th Street
16

Turn right onto IA 144

0.3 mi · 53 sec · West Main Street
17

Continue on IA 144

3.3 mi · 4 min · U Avenue
18

Turn slight left onto IA 144

6.9 mi · 9 min · 144 Diagonal
19

Continue on IA 144

1.1 mi · 1 min · Apple Road
20

Continue on IA 144

2.5 mi · 3 min · 325th Street
21

Continue on IA 144

0.9 mi · 1 min · D Avenue
22

Turn left onto 335th Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · 335th Street
23

Continue on East Avenue

470 ft · 14 sec · East Avenue
24

Turn right onto 335th Street

3.1 mi · 4 min · 335th Street
25

At end of road, turn right onto US 169

0.5 mi · 41 sec · H Avenue
26

Continue on US 169

1.9 mi · 2 min · N Avenue
27

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Toward IA 141 east: Urbandale
28

Continue on IA 141

16 mi · 18 min · Northwest Granger Drive
29

Continue on IA 141

2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
30

Continue on IA 141

1.0 mi · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
31

Continue on IA 141

0.6 mi · 49 sec · Grimes Boulevard
32

Continue on IA 141

2.0 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33

Continue on IA 141

0.3 mi · 37 sec · Northwest Urbandale Drive
34

Turn left

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward I-35 north, I-80 east: Minneapolis, Davenport
35

Merge onto I 80; I 35

7.3 mi · 8 min · I 80; I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Exit 135 Toward IA 415: Polk City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37

Turn right onto IA 415

0.8 mi · 1 min · Northwest 2nd Street
38

Continue on IA 415

2.5 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue
39

Turn left onto University Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · University Avenue
40

Continue on East University Avenue

100 ft · 8 sec · East University Avenue
41

Arrive at destination

East University Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this is a single-day trip of under three hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive in Des Moines with ample daylight. The route has only one recommended stop, so you can decide if you need to break up the drive based on your personal comfort. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from highway segments to local roads, and consider filling up before you leave Lake View to lock in your $18 fuel budget. Pay close attention to GPS directions, as the frequent turns on local roads can be disorienting.

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 57.9 miles from Lake View, IA, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.5 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 25 miles or 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 57.9 miles or 1h 20m 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 11m

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 Lake View, 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 Lake View, IA

This is one driving day of about 115.8 miles and 2h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Lake View, 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 20.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

human settlement in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dallas Center, IA

58 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Dallas Center, IA to Des Moines, IA

25.5 mi · 37m

Pacing Suggestions

Carroll, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Jefferson, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 57.9 miles from Lake View, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Olympic Flame Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152434361

Visit website

HoQ Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

0.8 mi

Flame The Taqueria

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Johnston, Iowa

1 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+15156307000

Visit website

Olympic Flame Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152434361

Visit website

HoQ Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $30 to $50

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 5–9 pm

+15152441213

Visit website

Flame The Taqueria

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Johnston, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+15157238934

Visit website

Tumea & Sons Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15152827976

Visit website

Tullpa Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152142327

Visit website

Vietnam Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+15152528713

Visit website

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Inexpensiv

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+15152622775

Visit website

Café Madeleine

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $100 or ab

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 5–8:30 pm

+15158150924

Visit website

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+15156307000

Visit website

SweetDude Coffee & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+15155090915

Visit website

Vintage Road Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Granger, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–12 pm

+13193210534

Visit website

Life Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Grimes, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

1.6 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Carroll, Iowa

+18559007584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Grimes, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Grimes, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Circuit électrique Charging Station

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Carroll, Iowa

+18006869243

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour

Grimes, Iowa

+18006360986

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Jefferson, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Perry, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

University Library Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+15152550433

Visit website

Paris Banh Mi Windsor Heights

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Windsor Heights, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–7:30 pm

+15152778888

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 79.1 and 111.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
79.1 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in | US 169 / H Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto US 169 / H Avenue

Navigation decision point

6
81.5 mi into trip | ~1h 55m in

Take the exit toward IA 141 east: Urbandale

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward IA 141 east: Urbandale
6
103.9 mi into trip | ~2h 23m in

Turn left toward I-35 north, I-80 east: Minneapolis, Davenport

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-35 north, I-80 east: Minneapolis, Dave...
5
104.3 mi into trip | ~2h 24m in | I 80; I 35

Merge onto I 80; I 35

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
111.6 mi into trip | ~2h 32m in

Take the exit toward IA 415: Polk City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 135 Toward IA 415: Polk City

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.10 one way

$36.21 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $19.88 $39.75
premium $4.89 $22.28 $44.57
diesel $5.61 $25.57 $51.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 40.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 34.7 0 $12.16 $5.56
Efficient EV 29 0 $10.13 $4.63
EV Truck/SUV 46.3 0 $16.21 $7.41

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 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 21, 2026

Origin

Lake View, IA

Late night in Lake View on Tuesday

Local time

4:00 AM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Des Moines, IA

Late night in Des Moines on Tuesday

Local time

4:00 AM

CDT

Current temp

61°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

2h 41m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is a turn-heavy local drive, with only about 12% of the journey on highways. You'll spend most of your time navigating county roads like 220th Street, Northwest Granger Drive, and County Road N33. The longest stretch without a significant turn is 20.5 miles on 220th Street, so be prepared for frequent adjustments to your steering wheel. This driving personality means you'll experience a more intimate connection with the Iowa landscape, passing through smaller communities and agricultural areas.

Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 20.5 mi on 220th Street.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 79.1 miles in near US 169 / H Avenue.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 41m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 79.1 miles (US 169 / H Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 81.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 103.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Lake View, IA to Des Moines, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Davenport along the way.

Davenport

103.9 mi in | ~2h 23m

About the Cities

Arriving in Des Moines, IA

Full guide →

Founded 1843

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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 41m. Total distance: 115.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (12%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 20.5 miles on 220th Street. 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 79.1 miles (US 169 / H Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 81.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 103.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Des Moines, IA before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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