Road trip from Des Moines to Columbus
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Sights & Landmarks
Water & Amusement Parks
Concerts & Shows
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All Category
Sights & Landmarks
Water & Amusement Parks
Concerts & Shows
Spas & Wellness
Nightlife
Fun & Games
Nature & Parks
Outdoor Activities
Museums
Shopping
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ITINERARY
12h 3m648 miles24 stops
1
Brenton Skating Plaza
2
Capitol Building
3
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.
4
German American Heritage Center
5
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.
6
Endless Brews
We are a bottle shop & craft beer bar with 20 taps and over 300 select bottles and cans for carry-out.
7
Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra
8
Nelson Chiropractic
9
Pettengill Morron House Museum
10
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!
11
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.
12
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.
13
Cowboy Monkey
14
State Farm Center
15
Centennial Park Champaign
16
Boneyard Creek Trail
17
DECEPTION
DECEPTION is a magic & mind reading show, hosted by magician David Ranalli. David creates an unforgettable evening by combining world-class sleight of hand, witty banter, and mysteries of the mind. Guests are invited into an intimate, cabaret theater where surprises lurk in every corner. Perfect as a date night, group event, and for the hardcore magic fan.
18
Smiley
Smiley is a huge 25,000 sq foot facility in Castleton filled with the latest Virtual Reality technology. We have very rare and unique interactive games and rides for children of all ages. Our playgrounds are for age 9 months to 10 years old and our VR spaces are for ages 9 years and up! We also have an enormous indoor playground with trampoline basketball, tubes & slides, rock-climbing, obstacle
19
Indianapolis Salt Cave & Halotherapy Center
Step into 9 tons of salt used to recreate the environmental conditions found in a natural underground salt mine. This man-made salt cave, creates the ideal atmospheric breathing condition. Relax, breathe deep and rejuvenate in the Indianapolis Salt Cave and Halotherapy Center.
20
The Grill
21
Chadwick Arboretum
22
Ohio Stadium
23
The Nest Theatre
24
Kelton House Museum & Garden
Experience urban life and the decorative arts, as they existed in the second half of the 19th century, through the collection of the Sophia and Fernando Cortez Kelton family. Learn about the Underground Railroad and the people that bring the history to life.
Customize this Trip
OVERVIEW
Des Moines to Columbus
1
Start:Brenton Skating Plaza
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(9) review
520 Robert D Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309-1824
2
Start:Capitol Building
Des Moines, Iowa·
5.0
(890) review
1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50319-1001
3
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.
4
Start:German American Heritage Center
Davenport, Iowa·
4.5
(84) review
712 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52802-1410
5
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.
6
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.
7
Start:Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra
Davenport, Iowa·
4.5
(8) review
327 Brady St, Davenport, IA 52801-1508
8
Start:Nelson Chiropractic
Peoria, Illinois·
5.0
(7) review
7800 N Sommer St 203, Peoria, IL 61615-1934
9
Start:Pettengill Morron House Museum
Peoria, Illinois·
4.5
(7) review
1212 W Moss Ave, Peoria, IL 61606-1736
10
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!
11
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.
12
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.
13
Start:Cowboy Monkey
Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois·
4.5
(7) review
6 E Taylor St, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-4025
14
Start:State Farm Center
Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois·
4.5
(77) review
1800 S 1st St, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-6950
15
Start:Centennial Park Champaign
Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois·
4.5
(9) review
Kirby St Crescent Dr, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL
16
Start:Boneyard Creek Trail
Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois·
4.5
(8) review
Champaign Park, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL
17
Start:DECEPTION
Indianapolis, Indiana·
4.5
(9) review
DECEPTION is a magic & mind reading show, hosted by magician David Ranalli. David creates an unforgettable evening by combining world-class sleight of hand, witty banter, and mysteries of the mind. Guests are invited into an intimate, cabaret theater where surprises lurk in every corner. Perfect as a date night, group event, and for the hardcore magic fan.
18
Start:Smiley
Indianapolis, Indiana·
3.5
(9) review
Smiley is a huge 25,000 sq foot facility in Castleton filled with the latest Virtual Reality technology. We have very rare and unique interactive games and rides for children of all ages. Our playgrounds are for age 9 months to 10 years old and our VR spaces are for ages 9 years and up! We also have an enormous indoor playground with trampoline basketball, tubes & slides, rock-climbing, obstacle
19
Start:Indianapolis Salt Cave & Halotherapy Center
Indianapolis, Indiana·
5.0
(9) review
Step into 9 tons of salt used to recreate the environmental conditions found in a natural underground salt mine. This man-made salt cave, creates the ideal atmospheric breathing condition. Relax, breathe deep and rejuvenate in the Indianapolis Salt Cave and Halotherapy Center.
20
Start:The Grill
Indianapolis, Indiana·
3.5
(9) review
9755 Fall Creek Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46256-4713
21
Start:Chadwick Arboretum
Columbus, Ohio·
4.0
(9) review
2120 Fyffe Rd Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210-1010
22
Start:Ohio Stadium
Columbus, Ohio·
4.5
(979) review
411 Woody Hayes Dr,, Columbus, OH 43210-1104
23
Start:The Nest Theatre
Columbus, Ohio·
5.0
(9) review
15 W Cherry St, Columbus, OH 43215-5189
24
Start:Kelton House Museum & Garden
Columbus, Ohio·
4.5
(96) review
Experience urban life and the decorative arts, as they existed in the second half of the 19th century, through the collection of the Sophia and Fernando Cortez Kelton family. Learn about the Underground Railroad and the people that bring the history to life.
CHECKLIST
GPS device or app
Download Offline Map
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 Des Moines and Columbus?
The distance is 648 miles
What's the travel time between Des Moines and Columbus?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 12h 3m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Des Moines and Columbus?
Some popular stops include
Are there any cool sights or attractions I shouldn't miss on my drive to Columbus?
There are plenty! Here are some stops you shouldn’t miss on your way to Columbus
What’s the weather like in Columbus?
The weather in Columbus is generally mild year-round, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. See the links below for more information
Weather in Columbus in January
Weather in Columbus in February
Weather in Columbus in March
Weather in Columbus in April
Weather in Columbus in May
Weather in Columbus in June
Weather in Columbus in July
Weather in Columbus in August
Weather in Columbus in September
Weather in Columbus in October
Weather in Columbus in November
Weather in Columbus in December
Interested in a detailed plan for your time in Columbus?
Plan your dream Columbus trip with our daily itineraries featuring must-see attractions! See them here!
A 1-day itinerary in Columbus
A 2-day itinerary in Columbus
A 3-day itinerary in Columbus
A 4-day itinerary in Columbus
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A 6-day itinerary in Columbus
Where else can I travel to if I'm starting my trip in Des Moines?
We have a lot of great trip options for Des Moines! See the links below for all the itineraries we created for you