Iowa City to Des Moines drive: Distance, time & best stops
The distance from Iowa City to Des Moines by car is 115 miles, with a 1h45m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Iowa City to Des Moines drive are the Brooklyn Flag Display, Rock Creek State Park and Quarry Springs Park.
Planning an Iowa City to Des Moines road trip itinerary
The drive from Iowa City to Des Moines connects the former capital of Iowa to the current capital.
Highlights of Iowa City include the Old Capitol Building, Iowa’s first capitol, and the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History.
Good things to do in Des Moines include the Adventureland Resort theme park, the Science Center of Iowa and the Pappajohn Sculpture Park.
Iowa City to Des Moines distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Iowa City to Des Moines is 115 miles. That makes for a driving time of around one hour and 45 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-80.
The best stops near the Iowa City to Des Moines driving route are the Brooklyn Flag Display, Rock Creek State Park and Quarry Springs Park.
Brooklyn Flag display
Brooklyn, Iowa, is a town that decided it needed a gimmick. And the gimmick it went for was massive flags.
The centerpiece of the Brooklyn Flag Display is a 20ft by 38ft US flag, flying from an 80ft pole. It is surrounded by the flags of all 50 states.
If this inspires you to get into the flag game yourself, then the Community of Flags store will gladly sell you some.
Rock Creek State Park
Near the town of Kellogg, Rock Creek State Park is primarily a camping destination. It’s the sort of place families come back to year after year. More casual visitors can enjoy fishing – or ice fishing in the winter – and hiking along eight miles of unpaved trails.
But the best thing to do is get out on the water, with boats and paddleboards for hire at the Rock Creek Marina.
Quarry Springs Park
Quarry Springs Park in Colfax, Iowa, is a former quarry that has been turned into a public park. It’s a great place for spotting ospreys, but some less sedentary activities than birdwatching are available. You can hit the mountain bike trails, go walking and take to the water in a kayak.
If you haven’t got your own kayak with you, then you can rent one. Quarry Springs Outfitters rents out single and double kayaks.
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