Wellman, IA to Des Moines, IA is 115.3 miles and takes about 2h 19m via I 80 and State Highway 22, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you across the Midwest, staying within Iowa for the entirety of the journey. It's a straightforward drive focused primarily on efficient highway travel. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route is perfectly suited 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.
Midpoint
57.7 miles from Wellman, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
78.6 mi
1h 24m
State Highway 22
12.8 mi
18m
M Avenue
11.9 mi
16m
State Highway 149
5.2 mi
7m
John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi
5m
Main Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Pennsylvania Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
9th Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 78.6 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wellman, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on this road
135 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto 2nd Street
165 ft·8 sec·2nd Street
3
Turn right onto 9th Avenue
0.3 mi·32 sec·9th Avenue
4
Turn left onto IA 22
0.3 mi·22 sec·6th Street
5
Continue on IA 22
13 mi·18 min·State Highway 22
6
Continue on IA 22
0.4 mi·36 sec·Main Street
7
Turn right onto IA 149
5.2 mi·7 min·State Highway 149
8
Continue on IA 149
12 mi·16 min·M Avenue
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
10
Merge onto I 80
79 mi·1 hr 24 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 137AToward I 235 West: Des MoinesUse the slight left lane.
12
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4.0 mi·5 min·John MacVicar Freeway
Toward I 235 West: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 8BToward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East VillageUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn AvenueUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.3 mi·34 sec·Pennsylvania Avenue
16
Turn left onto East University Avenue
100 ft·8 sec·East University Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour, 115-mile trip, there's no need to split the drive. You can comfortably leave Wellman, IA in the morning and arrive in Des Moines well before midday. With a fuel cost estimated around $18, keeping your tank full is easy. While the drive is mostly highway, be mindful of the transition onto State Highway 22 and M Avenue as you approach your destination; these may have slightly lower speed limits or more local traffic. A good strategy is to depart after breakfast to maximize your daylight hours upon arrival.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 57.7 miles from Wellman, IA, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.6 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 57.7 miles or 1h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 54m
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 Wellman, 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 Wellman, IA
This is one driving day of about 115.3 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Wellman, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 78.6 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 114.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|2nd Street
Turn right onto 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|IA 22 / 6th Street
Turn left onto IA 22 / 6th Street
Navigation decision point
7
109.7 mi into trip|~2h 10m 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
114.4 mi into trip|~2h 16m 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
114.7 mi into trip|~2h 17m 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
$18.03 one way
$36.05 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.79
$39.58
premium
$4.89
$22.19
$44.38
diesel
$5.61
$25.46
$50.91
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: 40.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.6
0
$12.11
$5.53
Efficient EV
28.8
0
$10.09
$4.61
EV Truck/SUV
46.1
0
$16.14
$7.38
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Wellman, IA
Morning
in Wellman on Tuesday
Local time
7:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Des Moines, IA
Morning
in Des Moines on Tuesday
Local time
7:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Brooklyn, IA
58 mi in
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
16 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 19m 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 route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with an impressive 87% of the journey taking place on major highways like I 80. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 78.6 miles on I 80, offering a consistent pace. While M Avenue and State Highway 22 will introduce some variation, the overall character is one of smooth, efficient transit. Expect a drive that prioritizes getting you to Des Moines quickly and directly, minimizing detours.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.6 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and State Highway 22. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 2nd Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 19m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (IA 22 / 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 109.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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
The longest stretch is about 78.6 miles on I 80. 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: near the start (2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (IA 22 / 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 109.7 miles: 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.
