Origin
Leon, IA
Late night in Leon on Tuesday
Local time
4:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Leon, IA to Des Moines, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 24m
Distance
70.6 mi
114 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 18m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 29m
12 PM
1h 27m
3 PM
1h 29m
5 PM
1h 37m
8 PM
1h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Leon, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Leon, IA to Des Moines, IA is 70.6 miles and takes about 1 hour 24 minutes via I 35, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive within the Midwest, connecting two points in Iowa. With a highway share of 82%, you can expect a relatively quick trip. It's a good option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without much fuss. Plan for a single day to complete this journey comfortably.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 49.6 mi | 53m |
| Northwest Church Street | 9.4 mi | 13m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 8 mi | 10m |
| 120th Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Ramp 72 D | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Line Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Pennsylvania Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East University Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 49.6 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leon, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on US 69
9.4 mi
·
13 min
·
Northwest Church Street
2
Turn left onto 120th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
120th Street
3
Continue on CR J14
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Line Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Webb
5
Merge onto I 35
50 mi
·
53 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 D
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Ramp 72 D
Exit 72A
Toward I 235 East: Des Moines
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 235
8.0 mi
·
10 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 8B
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
10
Turn left onto East University Avenue
100 ft
·
8 sec
·
East University Avenue
11
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.3 miles from Leon, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 75 decision points cluster between mile 11.1 and 69.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
11.1 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the ramp toward Webb
Navigation decision point
Toward Webb
5
11.4 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
61 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
|
Ramp 72 D
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 D toward I 235 East: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 72A
Toward I 235 East: Des Moines
5
61.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m 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.
8
69.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m 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
$11.04 one way
$22.08 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.12 | $24.24 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.59 | $27.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.59 | $31.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.41 | $3.39 |
| Efficient EV | 17.7 | 0 | $6.18 | $2.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.2 | 0 | $9.88 | $4.52 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Des Moines, IA
Late night in Des Moines on Tuesday
Local time
4:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
36°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 14 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 17 at 11:29PM CDT until April 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 17 at 10:38PM CDT until April 24 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
61°F
Osceola, IA
35 mi in
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
9 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
1h 24m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway-focused, with 82% of the route utilizing major roadways like I 35 and the John MacVicar Freeway. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 49.6 miles on I 35, making for a consistent pace. The initial part of the journey involves Northwest Church Street before merging onto the interstate. Expect a direct and efficient driving experience, largely free from complex intersections or frequent slowdowns. The character remains consistent as you progress toward Des Moines.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.6 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Northwest Church Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 11.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 24m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 11.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 11.4 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 61 miles (Ramp 72 D): 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.
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 Leon, IA to Des Moines, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Webb along the way.
Webb
11.1 mi in
|
~16m
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 1h 24m. Total distance: 70.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.6 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 11.4 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 61 miles (Ramp 72 D): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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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