If you are looking to travel from Washington to Des Moines, you can expect a manageable 112.2-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 33 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to easily reach the state capital without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $17 for fuel, making this an economical choice for a Midwest excursion. Since the entire drive stays within Iowa, you will remain comfortably within the heart of the Midwest throughout your travels. It is a straightforward trip, ideal for those who prefer an efficient highway-focused route over winding backroads.
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
56.1 miles from Washington, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
IA 163
57.8 mi
1h 12m
State Highway 92
24.7 mi
36m
IA-92
13.8 mi
20m
East Jackson Street
8.4 mi
11m
A Avenue East
3 mi
5m
IA 1
2 mi
2m
West 5th Street
1.2 mi
2m
South Marion Avenue
0.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
IA 163
— 57.8 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on South Marion Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·South Marion Avenue
2
Turn left onto West 5th Street
1.2 mi·2 min·West 5th Street
3
Turn right onto IA 1; IA 92
2.0 mi·2 min·IA 1; IA 92
4
Turn left onto IA 92
25 mi·36 min·State Highway 92
5
Continue on IA 92; IA 149
8.4 mi·11 min·East Jackson Street
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·42 sec
7
Continue on IA 92
14 mi·20 min·IA-92
8
Continue on IA 92
3.0 mi·5 min·A Avenue East
9
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
10
Merge onto IA 163
58 mi·1 hr 12 min·IA 163
11
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Trip Plan
Because this drive is a relatively quick trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your own schedule. You should anticipate needing at least one stop during the 112.2-mile trek to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route utilizes IA-92 and IA 163, keep a close watch on your navigation as you transition between these main roads. Given the $17 fuel estimate, topping off your tank before leaving Washington ensures you won't have to worry about finding a station in a rush. Use the inherent flexibility of this short duration to your advantage by choosing a departure time that avoids peak local traffic.
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 56.1 miles from Washington, IA, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.8 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.1 miles or 1h 23m 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 8m
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 Washington, 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 Washington, IA
This is one driving day of about 112.2 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Washington, 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 IA 163 for about 57.8 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 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 54 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|West 5th Street
Turn left onto West 5th Street
Navigation decision point
3
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|IA 1; IA 92
Turn right onto IA 1; IA 92
Navigation decision point
4
3.6 mi into trip|~6m in|IA 92 / State Highway 92
Turn left onto IA 92 / State Highway 92
Navigation decision point
4
36.7 mi into trip|~54m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
3
54 mi into trip|~1h 20m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.54 one way
$35.08 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.26
$38.52
premium
$4.89
$21.59
$43.18
diesel
$5.61
$24.77
$49.54
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: 39.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.7
0
$11.78
$5.39
Efficient EV
28.1
0
$9.82
$4.49
EV Truck/SUV
44.9
0
$15.71
$7.18
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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 15, 2026
Origin
Washington, IA
Late night
in Washington on Sunday
Local time
2:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Des Moines, IA
Late night
in Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
2:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°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
17 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
2h 33m 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?
This drive leans heavily on highway travel, with 88% of the journey spent on major routes like IA 163 and State Highway 92. You will find yourself settling into a steady rhythm, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 57.8 miles on IA 163. While the road is designed for efficiency, the transition between these highway segments keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. Expect a balanced experience that favors speed and directness as you navigate toward Des Moines. It is a practical, highway-focused drive that keeps you moving consistently toward your destination.
88% 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: 57.8 mi on IA 163.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IA 163 and State Highway 92. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near West 5th Street.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Washington, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 2h 33m with 88% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (West 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (IA 1; IA 92): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles (IA 92 / State Highway 92): Navigation decision point.
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.
The longest stretch is about 57.8 miles on IA 163. 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 0.3 miles (West 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (IA 1; IA 92): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles (IA 92 / State Highway 92): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Des Moines, IA before heading back.
