Des Moines, IOWA → Columbus, OH
566 mi · 11h 19m (driving)
Current Risk
Low Risk
Clear conditions along your route
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Des Moines
34°
Mercer County
37°
Livingston County
37°
Madison County
43°
Columbus
42°
Trip Briefing
4 segments · 566 mi · 11h 19m
Weather
☀️ Clear sky
37°F, wind 1 mph
Rest Stops
26
Restrooms, Truck svc, water
Clear driving conditions expected
Rest stops in this segment:
- ● QuikTrip
- ● Casey's Truck Stop 🚻
- ● Flying J Travel Center
Hazards Ahead
5 road closures may affect your route · 44 construction zones on route
44 Construction Zones on Route
local road: Road work until Nov 25
I-80: Road work until Nov 29
I-80: Road work until Nov 30
local road: Road work until Nov 30
local road: Road work until Nov 25
I-74: Road work until Dec 1
+ 38 more zones along the route — see map for full list
Highway Message Signs
I-670 I-670 EB at MM 4.6 (Northern leg), West of Cleveland Ave
LEFT | SHOULDER | CLOSED | AHEAD
I-670 I-670 EB at MM 5.4, I-71 NB to I-670 EB Ramp left side
LEFT SHOULDER | CLOSED | AHEAD
I-670 I-670 EB at MM 5.0 (Northern leg), East of I-71
LEFT | SHOULDER | CLOSED
Traffic Cameras
See recent road conditions along your route
Images are snapshots updated periodically by state DOTs. Timestamps shown in images indicate when each photo was captured.
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Selected Route
Via I-235 East → I-80 → ... → I-670 East → US-23
Cameras shown are along this computed route
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I-74: I-74 at IL 97/US 150 (Exit 54) (looking east)
IL · EB
I-74: I-74 at Kickapoo/Edwards Rd. (Exit 82) (looking east)
IL · EB
I-74: I-74 at Heinz Lane (looking east)
IL · EB
I-74 EB: I-74 at I-474/IL 6 (looking north)
IL · EB
I-74 EB: I-74 at I-474/IL 6 (looking west)
IL · EB
I-74 EB: I-74 at I-155 (looking north)
IL · EB
I-74: I-74 at IL 47
IL · EB
I-74 MP 5.2 COVINGTON
IN ·
I-74 MP 52.0 IN I-74/52.0
IN ·
I-70/98.8 E OF CR 400W
IN ·
US 27
IN ·
I-70 at SR-4 (Enon)
OH ·
Live traffic on this route
Cameras, crashes and closures right now on the highways this drive uses.
Rest Stops Along Your Route
85 stops available
Swipe to see moreShowing 1-2 of 85
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⚡ Recent Weather Events on This Route
Premium users received alerts for these conditions:
- 🌧️Nov 13: Rain advisory for afternoon departures
- ❄️Nov 11: Snow expected at higher elevations - consider earlier departure
- 🌫️Nov 8: Dense fog warning for morning travel
Don't miss the next alert →
Driving from Des Moines, IOWA to Columbus, OH covers 566 miles in roughly 11h 19m of drive time, crossing state lines. We track 12 live traffic cameras, 85 rest areas and 5 reported incidents along this corridor so you can plan around them. On a drive this length, weather can change dramatically between stops. Use the segment-by-segment forecast below to time your route.
7-Day Driving Outlook
Today
Nov 15
48° / 34°
No precip
Tomorrow
Nov 16
53° / 32°
No precip
Tue
Nov 17
56° / 38°
No precip
Wed
Nov 18
55° / 45°
No precip
Thu
Nov 19
56° / 53°
No precip
Fri
Nov 20
55° / 40°
No precip
Sat
Nov 21
60° / 54°
No precip
🗓️ Weekend Outlook
Saturday
Good to Go🌦️ Moderate rain showers at origin, ☀️ Clear sky at destination
Sunday
Good to Go🌤️ Mainly clear at origin, ⛅ Partly cloudy at destination
Plan This Route
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Current Conditions
Des Moines, IOWA
34°F
Wind: 2 mph
Columbus, OH
42°F
Wind: 5 mph
Weather data updated in real-time
Driving from Des Moines, IOWA to Columbus, OH
The 566-mile drive from Des Moines, IOWA to Columbus, Ohio takes approximately 11h 19m under normal conditions. Weather along this route can vary significantly, especially across open plains where severe weather and high winds can develop quickly. Route Outlook helps you find the safest time to travel by showing you weather conditions at every point along your route, timed to when you'll actually be there.
This long-distance route crosses state lines from IOWA into Ohio, connecting Des Moines and Columbus. Covering 566 miles, this is a substantial drive that will take you through diverse terrain and weather patterns. Planning ahead with real-time conditions along the entire route — not just at your destination — is essential for a safe trip.
Common Weather Hazards on This Route
- Dense fog, especially during early morning hours
Seasonal Driving Considerations
The Midwest corridor of this route is susceptible to rapid weather changes. Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are a real threat from April through June, while winter brings heavy lake-effect snow, ice storms, and dangerously low wind chill. Flat terrain means high crosswinds can affect vehicle stability year-round, especially for taller vehicles. Spring flooding can also close highway underpasses and low-lying road segments.
Best Time to Drive Des Moines to Columbus
For long drives like this 566-mile journey, planning is essential. Consider breaking the trip into segments if weather looks challenging. The best approach is to check conditions for multiple departure times using Route Outlook's optimizer, which considers weather at each point when you'll actually be there.
Driving Strategy
Covering 566 miles from Des Moines to Columbus is a full-day or multi-day drive that requires advance planning. Break the route into manageable segments, planning fuel and rest stops every 2-3 hours. Weather that looks fine at departure may deteriorate significantly at the midpoint. Consider booking overnight accommodation if the forecast shows deteriorating conditions in the latter half. Route Outlook's segment-level weather data helps you identify exactly where and when conditions will change.
Pro Tip
Use Route Outlook's departure optimizer to find the best time to leave. Our 4D trajectory engine considers weather at each point along your route at the exact time you'll be there — not just at your destination. It also integrates live data from traffic cameras, DOT 511 feeds, and road weather sensors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive from Des Moines to Columbus?
The drive is approximately 566 miles and takes about 11h 19m under normal traffic and weather conditions. Severe weather can add significant time to your trip.
What's the best day to drive this route?
Based on current forecasts, Today (Nov 15) looks ideal. Clear conditions expected along the entire route
Is it safe to drive from Des Moines to Columbus today?
Current conditions show low risk along this route. Conditions look favorable for travel. Always stay alert and adjust speed for changing conditions.
Are there rest areas on the Des Moines to Columbus route?
Yes, there are 85 rest areas along this route. Facilities include restrooms, parking, and in some cases picnic areas and vending machines. Rest stops are spaced throughout the drive, so you'll never be too far from a break.
Can I see live traffic cameras on this route?
Yes, Route Outlook shows 12 live traffic cameras along this route, sourced from state DOT feeds. You can check road visibility, traffic flow, and pavement conditions in real time before and during your drive.
What highways does this route use?
This route primarily uses I-74 East, I-70. Conditions can vary between highway segments, so check live camera feeds and road condition reports for each stretch before departing.
Are there any road closures on this route right now?
There are currently 5 active incidents along this route that may affect your drive. Check the incident details above for specific locations and expected durations.
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🛡️Road Safety Features: Real-Time Conditions for Your Route
Real-time traffic incidents from 12 states, highway message signs, road conditions, and 25,000+ traffic cameras--integrated into your route planning.
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