DriveCosts

Road trip cost

How Much Does It Cost to Drive From Des Moines to Topeka?

The drive from Des Moines, IA to Topeka, KS covers about 243 miles and takes around 3 hr 54 min — a comfortable day trip. Plan one fuel stop and a meal break and you'll arrive without overspending on gas.

Medium
  • Updated for 2026
  • US avg fuel prices
  • EPA-style MPG
  • EV rates vary by state
  • US units
Distance

243 mi

Driving time

3 hr 54 min

Fuel stops

0

EV charges

1

Route overview243 mi

Key takeaway

Plan on about $30 in gas one-way in a 28 MPG sedan, with 0 fuel stops and roughly 3 hr 54 min behind the wheel.

Drive intensity

Medium

Doable in a single day.

Estimate your trip cost

Pre-filled with the Des Moines → Topeka distance.

miles
mpg
$/gal

Estimated Trip Cost

$0.00

Per Person

$0.00

Gallons

0.00gal

Total miles: 243 (one way).

How we estimate this trip

Distance
Great-circle distance between city centers × 1.18 road factor, rounded to whole miles.
Fuel cost formula
(miles ÷ MPG) × price per gallon, computed one-way unless noted.
Gas price assumption
Recent US average retail regular gas (AAA-style baseline).
EV charging assumption
Combined MPGe with average US residential electricity rate.
Tolls & weather
Not included — add manually for I-95, I-90 and mountain routes.
Driving time
Estimated at typical highway average speeds; excludes long breaks.

Sources & assumptions

  • EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
  • U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
  • AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
  • EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.

We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.

Fuel cost by vehicle type

Estimated one-way fuel cost at $3.45/gal (US average). Adjust for your local price.

Compact car· 35 MPG · 6.9 gal$23.95
Sedan· 28 MPG · 8.7 gal$29.94
SUV· 22 MPG · 11.0 gal$38.11
Pickup truck· 18 MPG · 13.5 gal$46.58

Cost at different gas prices

Assuming a 28 MPG sedan over the 243-mile route.

Gas at $3.15/gal

$27.34

one way · ~8.7 gal

Gas at $3.45/gal

$29.94

one way · ~8.7 gal

Gas at $3.85/gal

$33.41

one way · ~8.7 gal

Fuel & charging stops

No fill-up needed

At ~243 miles, a full tank in a typical sedan (~350-mile range) covers this drive end-to-end. Top up before you leave and you're set.

1 DC fast-charge for most EVs

Assuming a realistic 230-mile highway range, plan 1 DC fast-charging stop. Tesla Superchargers and Electrify America have strong coverage on most US corridors.

Route personality

Standard interstate driveToll corridor

Midwest driving context

  • Flat, straight interstates (I-70, I-80, I-90) reward steady speeds and deliver near-EPA highway MPG.
  • Winter snow and lake-effect storms can close stretches of road from December through March.

City insights

Des Moines, IA

  • Government and event-day closures around downtown Des Moines can reroute traffic.

Topeka, KS

  • Government and event-day closures around downtown Topeka can reroute traffic.
  • KS uses electronic tolling — an E-ZPass / SunPass / TxTag transponder is worth it.

Seasonal notes

Winter

Snow, ice and chain-control zones from late November through March — carry an emergency kit.

Spring–Summer

Midwest construction season is March–October — expect single-lane closures on I-70, I-80 and I-90.

Recommendations for this route

  • Pick up the correct toll transponder (E-ZPass / SunPass / TxTag) before you leave.
  • Run tires at the door-jamb PSI and pre-cool the cabin with AC on low — both add 1–3 MPG.

Is it cheaper to fly or drive?

Driving is almost always cheaper here — short flights cost more than fuel once you factor in airport parking, bags and a rental car.

A one-way drive uses about $30 in gas (28 MPG, $3.45/gal). A typical short domestic flight costs $80–$220 per person plus $30–$60/day for airport parking and any baggage fees.

Weather & best time

Spring and fall offer the most comfortable driving conditions and lighter holiday traffic.

  • • Mostly straightforward weather year-round, though summer heat and winter rain can still slow traffic.

Tolls

Tolls are likely on parts of the route — usually under $20 each way, but a transponder saves time.

Best vehicle

A mid-size sedan or hybrid is the sweet spot — comfortable for the distance with strong MPG.

Driving difficulty

Medium · 3 hr 54 min

Low — one driver can comfortably handle this with a single break.

Doable in a single day

Most drivers complete this route in a single day. Leave early to avoid arriving tired in evening traffic.

About the drive from Des Moines to Topeka

This 243-mile route between Des Moines, IA and Topeka, KS is a popular drive in the region. Expect roughly 3 hr 54 min behind the wheel under normal traffic conditions.

Fuel-saving tips

  • Keep your speed near 65 mph — fuel economy drops sharply above 70.
  • Fill up before mountain or desert stretches; remote stations charge a premium.
  • Use GasBuddy or AAA to spot cheap stations along your route before you leave.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Topeka?

The drive is about 243 miles and takes roughly 3 hr 54 min under normal traffic. Add buffer for stops, construction, and rush hour around either city.

How much gas does the trip use?

In a 28 MPG sedan, expect about 8.7 gallons one way. A 22 MPG SUV would use roughly 11.0 gallons.

What's the typical fuel cost?

At the US average of $3.45/gal, a 28 MPG vehicle costs about $29.94 one way. Round trip roughly doubles that. Use the calculator above for your exact MPG and local gas price.

How many fuel or charging stops will I need?

A typical gas sedan needs about 0 fuel stops one way. A modern EV with ~230 miles of highway range needs about 1 DC fast-charge.

Is it cheaper to drive or fly from Des Moines to Topeka?

Driving is almost always cheaper here — short flights cost more than fuel once you factor in airport parking, bags and a rental car.

What's the best time of year to drive this route?

Spring and fall offer the most comfortable driving conditions and lighter holiday traffic.

Best vehicles for this route

Estimated 243-mile fuel cost for each pick at average US prices. Tap any vehicle for a full cost breakdown.

Cheapest to drive

Toyota Prius

57 MPG · hybrid

~$15

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Best EV

Lucid Air

134 MPGe · ev

~$10

est. one-way charging cost

See full breakdown

Best sedan

Hyundai Elantra

37 MPG · sedan

~$23

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Best SUV for comfort

Nissan Rogue

33 MPG · suv

~$25

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Best truck for cargo

Ford Maverick

26 MPG · truck

~$32

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Related routes

More routes like Des Moines to Topeka

Reverse drives, connecting routes and regional alternatives — each with distance and driving cost at current US gas prices.

Reverse drive

Topeka to Des Moines driving cost

243 mi · 3.9 h

Related road trips

More routes from Des Moines, Topeka, and the surrounding region.

Topeka → Des Moines

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Des Moines → Kansas City

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Des Moines → St. Paul

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Des Moines → Minneapolis

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Des Moines → Madison

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Des Moines → Lincoln

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Omaha → Topeka

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