Driving from Manchester to Des Moines covers 156.6 miles and takes approximately 2 hours and 38 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to easily complete the transit without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate via East Main Street, Highway 13, and the Avenue of the Saints to reach the state capital. Budgeting roughly $24 for fuel should keep you covered for the duration of the trip. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, you can expect a familiar regional atmosphere throughout your journey across Iowa.
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
78.3 miles from Manchester, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 20
42.3 mi
48m
IA 330
35.9 mi
42m
Avenue of the Saints
23.5 mi
27m
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi
21m
240th Street
6.3 mi
9m
Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi
8m
N Avenue
4.5 mi
6m
US 65
4.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 42.3 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manchester, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on North Tama Street
58 ft·4 sec·North Tama Street
2
Turn right onto CR D22
1.2 mi·2 min·East Main Street
3
Turn left onto IA 13
1.2 mi·1 min·State Highway 13
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
5
Merge onto US 20
42 mi·48 min·US 20
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27
23 mi·27 min·Avenue of the Saints
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
Toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
8
Turn left onto IA 14
4.5 mi·6 min·N Avenue
9
Turn right onto 210th Street
1.0 mi·1 min·210th Street
10
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
1.0 mi·1 min·County Road T37
11
Continue on M Avenue
1.5 mi·2 min·M Avenue
12
Turn right onto IA 14; IA 175
6.3 mi·9 min·240th Street
13
Turn left onto IA 14
16 mi·21 min·Sanford Avenue
14
Turn right onto IA 330
4.3 mi·5 min·160th Street
15
Keep slight left at fork onto IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·North Main Street
16
Continue on IA 330
5.9 mi·8 min·Marsh Avenue
17
Turn right onto IA 330
36 mi·42 min·IA 330
18
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.
19
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 137AToward I 235 West: Des MoinesUse the slight left lane.
20
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4.0 mi·5 min·John MacVicar Freeway
Toward I 235 West: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 8BToward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East VillageUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn AvenueUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.3 mi·34 sec·Pennsylvania Avenue
24
Turn left onto East University Avenue
100 ft·8 sec·East University Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 38 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal schedule. Aim to include at least one stop to break up the drive, as the turn-heavy nature of these local roads can be more tiring than a straight highway shot. Before heading out, double-check your navigation, as the reliance on local roads like Highway 13 and the Avenue of the Saints requires careful attention to signage. Since you are budgeting $24 for gas, consider refueling in Manchester before you leave to avoid any last-minute stress on the road.
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 78.3 miles from Manchester, IA, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.3 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 34 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.3 miles or 1h 35m 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 41m
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 Manchester, 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 Manchester, IA
This is one driving day of about 156.6 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Manchester, 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 20 for about 42.3 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 68.6 and 156 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
68.6 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
7
146.6 mi into trip|~3h 2m 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
151 mi into trip|~3h 8m 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
155.7 mi into trip|~3h 14m 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
156 mi into trip|~3h 15m 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
$24.48 one way
$48.97 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$26.88
$53.76
premium
$4.89
$30.14
$60.27
diesel
$5.61
$34.58
$69.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47
0
$16.44
$7.52
Efficient EV
39.2
0
$13.70
$6.26
EV Truck/SUV
62.6
0
$21.92
$10.02
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Manchester, IA
Late night
in Manchester on Tuesday
Local time
5:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Des Moines, IA
Late night
in Des Moines on Tuesday
Local time
5:57 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
2 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 16m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a mindless interstate cruise. Because the highway share is 0%, you will spend your time navigating local roads and secondary highways that offer a much more hands-on experience behind the wheel. The route lacks long, uninterrupted stretches, meaning you should be prepared for frequent adjustments and transitions between different road types. This is a practical, ground-level way to see the Iowa landscape, offering a driving profile that feels personal and direct.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.3 mi on US 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 68.6 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 156.6 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 68.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.6 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,085 ft846 ft
Total Climb
594 ft
Total Descent
660 ft
Highest Point
1,085 ft
~11.2 mi in
Elevation Range
239 ft
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 Manchester, IA to Des Moines, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Grundy Center 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.
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 3h 16m. Total distance: 156.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.3 miles on US 20. 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 68.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.6 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Des Moines, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
