Columbus to Des Moines drive in 1 day

Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Columbus to Des Moines. If you're planning a road trip to Des Moines, you can research locations to stop along the way. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Traveling with a dog or cat? Find pet-friendly stops. Camping along the way? Search for RV campgrounds. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members.

8:00 am  start in Columbus
drive for about 1 hour

9:08 am  Dayton
stay for about 1 hour
and leave at 10:08 am
drive for about 2 hours

12:05 pm  Indianapolis
stay for about 1 hour
and leave at 1:05 pm
drive for about 2 hours

3:10 pm  Champaign
stay for about 1 hour
and leave at 4:10 pm
drive for about 49 minutes

4:59 pm  Bloomington (Illinois)
stay for about 1 hour
and leave at 5:59 pm
drive for about 2.5 hours

8:15 pm  Moline
stay for about 1 hour
and leave at 9:15 pm
drive for about 1 hour

10:28 pm  University of Iowa
stay for about 1 hour
and leave at 11:28 pm
drive for about 1.5 hours

1:12 am (past midnight)  arrive in Des Moines

driving ≈ 11 hours

This section could be endless, so rather than trying to suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it open-ended.

Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions because there's an entire community of travelers talking to each other and sharing tips and advice. Trippy is where you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, trip dates & more!

For example, here are some questions people have asked about Des Moines. Click on any question to see answers from the community!

 Katie from Los Angeles asked:
What's the best neighborhood in Des Moines for a first time visitor?  (6 answers)

 Keith from Denver asked:
Any good hiking spots in or near Des Moines?  (3 answers)

Click the button below to explore more questions and answers related to Des Moines.

Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation who wants the trip to end? It's okay, you can start planning your next trip!

Want to plan the trip back? Get the reverse directions for a Des Moines to Columbus drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip.

You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from Columbus to Des Moines. Or get a full Columbus to Des Moines flight plan.

Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world.

And if you know Columbus well, please help your fellow travelers and answer their questions about Columbus!