Des Moines, IOWA → Nashville, TN
525 mi · 10h 30m (driving)
Current Risk
Low Risk
Clear conditions along your route
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Des Moines
34°
Lewis County
45°
West Alton
47°
Pope County
49°
Nashville
43°
Trip Briefing
4 segments · 525 mi · 10h 30m
Weather
☀️ Clear sky
45°F, wind 4 mph
Rest Stops
3
Truck svc, Restrooms
Clear driving conditions expected
Rest stops in this segment:
- ● QuikTrip
- ● Flying J Travel Center
- ● West Gate Rest Area 🚻
Normal Traffic
25 construction zones along route — no other incidents
25 Construction Zones on Route
IL-57: Road work until Nov 30
IL-3: Road work until Dec 30
IL-3: Road work until Dec 30
IL-3: Road work until Dec 31
IL-203: Road work until Jun 9
I-70: Road work until Jul 31
+ 19 more zones along the route — see map for full list
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.
Choose your route:
Selected Route
Via I-235 East → US-61 → ... → US-41 (James Robertson Parkway) → US-431 (James Robertson Parkway)
Cameras shown are along this computed route
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I-70: I-70 at Industrial Dr. (looking east)
IL · EB
I-70: I-70 Bridge at IL 3 (looking south)
IL · SB
I-70 EB: I-55/64 at Milepost 2.6 (Merge) (looking north)
IL · EB
I-70 EB: I-55/64 at Milepost 2.6 (Merge) (looking south)
IL · EB
I-64 EB: I-55/64 at Poplar St Bridge
IL · EB
I-64 EB: I-55/64 at Milepost 0.4
IL · EB
I-64: I-55/64 at Tudor Ave (looking south)
IL · SB
I-64: I-64 at MIlepost 3.9 (15th St) (looking east)
IL · EB
I-64 EB: I-64 at MP 4.2
IL · EB
I-64 EB: I-64 at Milepost 4.5 (25th St.) (looking west)
IL · EB
I-64 EB: I-64 at Milepost 4.5 (25th St.) (looking east)
IL · EB
Rest Stops Along Your Route
67 stops available
Swipe to see moreShowing 1-2 of 67
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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
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Driving from Des Moines, IOWA to Nashville, TN covers 525 miles in roughly 10h 30m of drive time, crossing state lines. We track 11 live traffic cameras and 67 rest areas 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, ☁️ Overcast 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
Nashville, TN
43°F
Wind: 4 mph
Weather data updated in real-time
Driving from Des Moines, IOWA to Nashville, TN
The 525-mile drive from Des Moines, IOWA to Nashville, Tennessee takes approximately 10h 30m under normal conditions. Weather along this route can vary significantly, especially across varying terrain where weather conditions can change rapidly. 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 Tennessee, connecting Des Moines and Nashville. Covering 525 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
- Sudden rain showers reducing visibility
- High winds affecting vehicle stability
- Seasonal weather changes impacting road conditions
Seasonal Driving Considerations
Weather along this route varies by season. Winter months can bring snow, ice, and reduced visibility, while summer may see thunderstorms, heat-related road issues, or construction zones. Spring and fall generally offer the most comfortable driving conditions but can still surprise with sudden weather changes. Regardless of season, checking real-time conditions along your entire route before departing can help you avoid the worst of it.
Best Time to Drive Des Moines to Nashville
For long drives like this 525-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 525 miles from Des Moines to Nashville 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 Nashville?
The drive is approximately 525 miles and takes about 10h 30m 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 Nashville 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 Nashville route?
Yes, there are 67 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 11 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-70, I-64 East. 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?
No significant incidents or road closures are currently reported along this route. Conditions can change quickly — this page updates automatically with the latest data from state DOT 511 systems.
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⏰Finding the Safest Time to Drive: A Data-Driven Approach
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