Origin
Williamsburg, IA
Night in Williamsburg on Saturday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Williamsburg, IA to Des Moines, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
89.5 mi
144 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 33m
★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Williamsburg, IA
Phil Evenden
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Williamsburg, IA to Des Moines, IA is 89.5 miles and takes about 1h 40m via I 80 and State Highway 149, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive entirely within Iowa, connecting two points in the Midwest. With nearly all of the route on major highways, you can expect efficient travel. It's a short enough distance that you can easily complete it within a single day, allowing for a relaxed start or ample time upon arrival.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.8 miles from Williamsburg, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 81.6 mi | 1h 27m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 4 mi | 5m |
| State Highway 149 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| South Highland Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Pennsylvania Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Welsh Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Court Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East University Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 81.6 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Williamsburg, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on Court Street
142 ft
·
11 sec
·
Court Street
2
Turn left onto West Welsh Street
399 ft
·
13 sec
·
West Welsh Street
3
Turn left onto IA 149
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
South Highland Street
4
Continue on IA 149
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 149
5
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
6
Merge onto I 80
82 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 137A
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Use the slight left lane.
8
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 8B
Toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
12
Turn left onto East University Avenue
100 ft
·
8 sec
·
East University Avenue
13
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short 1h 40m duration, this trip is easily manageable in one day. You can afford to leave later in the morning, perhaps after a leisurely breakfast in Williamsburg. With only 89.5 miles to cover, you'll likely only need one fuel stop at most, depending on your vehicle's MPG. Since the majority of the drive is on I 80, be aware of typical interstate traffic patterns as you approach Des Moines. The longest stretch is over 81 miles, so plan your restroom breaks accordingly before you embark on that segment.
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 44.8 miles from Williamsburg, IA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.6 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 20 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.8 miles or 49m 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 23m
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 Williamsburg, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Williamsburg, IA
This is one driving day of about 89.5 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Williamsburg, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 81.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 44.8 miles from Williamsburg, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.6 miles.
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 95 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 88.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Welsh Street
Turn left onto West Welsh Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
83.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m 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
88.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m 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
88.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m 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
$13.99 one way
$27.98 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.36 | $30.73 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.22 | $34.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.76 | $39.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.8 | 0 | $9.40 | $4.30 |
| Efficient EV | 22.4 | 0 | $7.83 | $3.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.8 | 0 | $12.53 | $5.73 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Night in Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Newton, IA
45 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
20 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 40m 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 overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 97% of the drive on major roads like I 80 and State Highway 149. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 81.6 miles primarily on I 80, offering consistent speed and minimal distractions. The profile suggests a drive where efficiency is key, rather than winding scenic byways. Expect a predictable and direct journey, ideal for covering ground quickly between Williamsburg and Des Moines.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.6 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and John MacVicar Freeway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Welsh Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 89.5 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Welsh Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Des Moines, IA
Full guide →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.
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 40m. Total distance: 89.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.6 miles on I 80. 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: near the start (West Welsh Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.9 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.
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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