Road trip from Champaign to Des Moines
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All Category
Sights & Landmarks
Nature & Parks
Museums
Food & Drink
Concerts & Shows
Nightlife
Zoos & Aquariums
Shopping
Spas & Wellness
Fun & Games
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ITINERARY
6h 34m355 miles33 stops
1
The Virginia Theatre
2
Cowboy Monkey
3
Pour Bros. Taproom
4
Centennial Park Champaign
5
State Farm Center
6
Krannert Art Museum
7
Mount Hope Cemetery
8
Boneyard Creek Trail
9
Caterpillar Visitors Center
The Caterpillar Visitors Center is a fascinating look at the company, the iron and the people making sustainable progress possible around the world. From the humble beginnings of the first tractor to the company's present-day leadership in building infrastructure and powering the planet — it's all right here on Peoria's beautiful riverfront. We invite you to experience Caterpillar like never before and plan your visit today.
10
Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum
The Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum provides children with the tools and inspiration they need to be explorers and creators of the world. We do this in part through understanding, supporting, and promoting play in the fullest sense of the word, one that includes imagination and creativity.
11
Peoria Zoo
The Peoria Zoo is home to over 100 species of animals from around the world. From giraffes and rhinoceros to spider monkeys and sea lions, the Zoo is the wildest family place in town. The Peoria Zoo is open year round. Our Education Department offers programs for ages 2 and up. These include Home School classes, Zoo Tots, Jungle Jamboree, summer Zoo Camp and Zoo Teens volunteer program. During summer months we offer Giraffe Feeding in Africa and Budgie Feeding in the Aussie Walk About. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, scheduled Keeper Chats take place every day. Our two biggest events are the Easter Egg Hunt and Howl-Zoo-Ween. We offer a variety of birthday parties and Zoo Snoozes. Our Zambezi River Lodge is available for corporate events, wedding receptions, and special celebrations.
12
Luthy Botanical Garden
Surround yourself with spectacular displays of spring blooming bulbs or the blazing color of autumn, the Garden offers a tranquil setting to enjoy the beauty of each passing season. Established in 1951, Luthy Botanical Garden encompasses five acres and offers over a dozen theme gardens, a Conservatory, a garden gift shop educational programming, numerous events, a rotating sculpture exhibit and magnificent floral displays.
13
Club Diesel
14
Pettengill Morron House Museum
15
Forest Park Nature Center
A Peoria Park District facility, Forest Park serves as the doorway to more than 500 acres designated as part of the Illinois State Nature Preserve. The center provides visitors with more than seven miles of trails that lead through dense forest, along trickling stream beds, and over dramatic hillsides. The A-frame trail head features a small natural history museum, nature store, and a room dedicated to bird-watching. Trails and museum are free and open to the public. NO PETS ALLOWED!
16
Nelson Chiropractic
17
the Shopps at Grand Prairie
18
Chocolate Manor
19
Bix Beiderbecke Museum & Archive
20
River Music Experience
21
Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra
22
The Office Cocktail Bar & Lounge
23
Endless Brews
We are a bottle shop & craft beer bar with 20 taps and over 300 select bottles and cans for carry-out.
24
Freight House Farmers Market
25
German American Heritage Center
26
1 Hundred West
1 Hundred West, in Davenport, IA, is the leading bar and grille serving Davenport and surrounding areas. We offer craft cocktails and a supper club inspired menu, along with drink specials, nightly features, wings, burgers, beer, family-style chicken fry, ribs, signature drinks, all you can eat fish fry and much more. For your next meal, visit 1 Hundred West in Davenport.
27
Fort Des Moines Museum & Education Center
28
Capitol Building
29
Brenton Skating Plaza
30
World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
The Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates - home of The World Food Prize - is a public museum, educational facility and a place of inspiration for all. This magnificently restored Beaux Arts space celebrates the spirit of giving, emphasizing the importance of global food security.
31
4th Street
32
Iowa State Fairgrounds
For 11 days in August, it’s a fairground, but for the other 354 days of the year, the Iowa State Fairgrounds is home to auto shows, livestock exhibitions, flea markets, antique shows, concerts, trade shows and more. See what’s happening this month at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
33
Fitness Sports
Iowa's first Specialty Running & Walking store with a emphasis on personal service. Ou r stone motto is "Where You have the Right to B-Fit". Est. in 1984.
Customize this Trip
OVERVIEW
Champaign to Des Moines
1
Start:The Virginia Theatre
Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois·
4.5
(64) review
203 W Park Ave, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-3928
2
Start:Cowboy Monkey
Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois·
4.5
(7) review
6 E Taylor St, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-4025
3
Start:Pour Bros. Taproom
Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois·
4.0
(6) review
40 E University Ave, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-4021
4
Start:Centennial Park Champaign
Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois·
4.5
(9) review
Kirby St Crescent Dr, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL
5
Start:State Farm Center
Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois·
4.5
(77) review
1800 S 1st St, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-6950
6
Start:Krannert Art Museum
Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois·
4.5
(54) review
500 E Peabody Dr, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-6913
7
Start:Mount Hope Cemetery
Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois·
4.0
(5) review
611 E Pennsylvania Ave, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-6940
8
Start:Boneyard Creek Trail
Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois·
4.5
(8) review
Champaign Park, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL
9
Start:Caterpillar Visitors Center
Peoria, Illinois·
4.5
(456) review
The Caterpillar Visitors Center is a fascinating look at the company, the iron and the people making sustainable progress possible around the world. From the humble beginnings of the first tractor to the company's present-day leadership in building infrastructure and powering the planet — it's all right here on Peoria's beautiful riverfront. We invite you to experience Caterpillar like never before and plan your visit today.
10
Start:Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum
Peoria, Illinois·
4.5
(84) review
The Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum provides children with the tools and inspiration they need to be explorers and creators of the world. We do this in part through understanding, supporting, and promoting play in the fullest sense of the word, one that includes imagination and creativity.
11
Start:Peoria Zoo
Peoria, Illinois·
4.0
(399) review
The Peoria Zoo is home to over 100 species of animals from around the world. From giraffes and rhinoceros to spider monkeys and sea lions, the Zoo is the wildest family place in town. The Peoria Zoo is open year round. Our Education Department offers programs for ages 2 and up. These include Home School classes, Zoo Tots, Jungle Jamboree, summer Zoo Camp and Zoo Teens volunteer program. During summer months we offer Giraffe Feeding in Africa and Budgie Feeding in the Aussie Walk About. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, scheduled Keeper Chats take place every day. Our two biggest events are the Easter Egg Hunt and Howl-Zoo-Ween. We offer a variety of birthday parties and Zoo Snoozes. Our Zambezi River Lodge is available for corporate events, wedding receptions, and special celebrations.
12
Start:Luthy Botanical Garden
Peoria, Illinois·
4.0
(73) review
Surround yourself with spectacular displays of spring blooming bulbs or the blazing color of autumn, the Garden offers a tranquil setting to enjoy the beauty of each passing season. Established in 1951, Luthy Botanical Garden encompasses five acres and offers over a dozen theme gardens, a Conservatory, a garden gift shop educational programming, numerous events, a rotating sculpture exhibit and magnificent floral displays.
13
Start:Club Diesel
Peoria, Illinois·
3.5
(4) review
629 Main St, Peoria, IL 61602-1015
14
Start:Pettengill Morron House Museum
Peoria, Illinois·
4.5
(7) review
1212 W Moss Ave, Peoria, IL 61606-1736
15
Start:Forest Park Nature Center
Peoria, Illinois·
4.5
(79) review
A Peoria Park District facility, Forest Park serves as the doorway to more than 500 acres designated as part of the Illinois State Nature Preserve. The center provides visitors with more than seven miles of trails that lead through dense forest, along trickling stream beds, and over dramatic hillsides. The A-frame trail head features a small natural history museum, nature store, and a room dedicated to bird-watching. Trails and museum are free and open to the public. NO PETS ALLOWED!
16
Start:Nelson Chiropractic
Peoria, Illinois·
5.0
(7) review
7800 N Sommer St 203, Peoria, IL 61615-1934
17
Start:the Shopps at Grand Prairie
Peoria, Illinois·
4.0
(6) review
5201 W War Memorial Dr Suite # 322, Peoria, IL 61615-9222
18
Start:Chocolate Manor
Davenport, Iowa·
5.0
(71) review
110 E 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52801-1502
19
Start:Bix Beiderbecke Museum & Archive
Davenport, Iowa·
5.0
(8) review
129 N Main St Red Stone Building, Corner of Main and Second Streets, Davenport, IA 52801
20
Start:River Music Experience
Davenport, Iowa·
4.5
(7) review
129 N Main St, Davenport, IA 52801-1808
21
Start:Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra
Davenport, Iowa·
4.5
(8) review
327 Brady St, Davenport, IA 52801-1508
22
Start:The Office Cocktail Bar & Lounge
Davenport, Iowa·
4.0
(7) review
116 W 3rd St, Davenport, IA 52801-1401
23
Start:Endless Brews
Davenport, Iowa·
4.5
(9) review
We are a bottle shop & craft beer bar with 20 taps and over 300 select bottles and cans for carry-out.
24
Start:Freight House Farmers Market
Davenport, Iowa·
4.5
(75) review
421 W River Dr, Davenport, IA 52801-1136
25
Start:German American Heritage Center
Davenport, Iowa·
4.5
(84) review
712 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52802-1410
26
Start:1 Hundred West
Davenport, Iowa·
4.0
(8) review
1 Hundred West, in Davenport, IA, is the leading bar and grille serving Davenport and surrounding areas. We offer craft cocktails and a supper club inspired menu, along with drink specials, nightly features, wings, burgers, beer, family-style chicken fry, ribs, signature drinks, all you can eat fish fry and much more. For your next meal, visit 1 Hundred West in Davenport.
27
Start:Fort Des Moines Museum & Education Center
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.0
(8) review
75 E Army Post Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315-5866
28
Start:Capitol Building
Des Moines, Iowa·
5.0
(890) review
1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50319-1001
29
Start:Brenton Skating Plaza
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(9) review
520 Robert D Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309-1824
30
Start:World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
Des Moines, Iowa·
5.0
(81) review
The Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates - home of The World Food Prize - is a public museum, educational facility and a place of inspiration for all. This magnificently restored Beaux Arts space celebrates the spirit of giving, emphasizing the importance of global food security.
31
Start:4th Street
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(8) review
4th Street, Des Moines, IA
32
Start:Iowa State Fairgrounds
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(882) review
For 11 days in August, it’s a fairground, but for the other 354 days of the year, the Iowa State Fairgrounds is home to auto shows, livestock exhibitions, flea markets, antique shows, concerts, trade shows and more. See what’s happening this month at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
33
Start:Fitness Sports
Des Moines, Iowa·
5.0
(9) review
Iowa's first Specialty Running & Walking store with a emphasis on personal service. Ou r stone motto is "Where You have the Right to B-Fit". Est. in 1984.
CHECKLIST
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Car charger and portable battery
Water bottles and snacks
Travel pillow and blanket
Sunglasses and sunscreen
First-aid kit
Trash bags
Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
Driver’s license and vehicle registration
Cash and cards
Camera or smartphone
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the driving distance between Champaign and Des Moines?
The distance is 355 miles
What's the travel time between Champaign and Des Moines?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 6h 34m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Champaign and Des Moines?
Some popular stops include
Are there any cool sights or attractions I shouldn't miss on my drive to Des Moines?
There are plenty! Here are some stops you shouldn’t miss on your way to Des Moines
What’s the weather like in Des Moines?
The weather in Des Moines is generally mild year-round, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. See the links below for more information
Weather in Des Moines in January
Weather in Des Moines in February
Weather in Des Moines in March
Weather in Des Moines in April
Weather in Des Moines in May
Weather in Des Moines in June
Weather in Des Moines in July
Weather in Des Moines in August
Weather in Des Moines in September
Weather in Des Moines in October
Weather in Des Moines in November
Weather in Des Moines in December
Interested in a detailed plan for your time in Des Moines?
Plan your dream Des Moines trip with our daily itineraries featuring must-see attractions! See them here!
A 1-day itinerary in Des Moines
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Where else can I travel to if I'm starting my trip in Champaign?
We have a lot of great trip options for Champaign! See the links below for all the itineraries we created for you