Road trip from Des Moines to Merced
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All Category
Nature & Parks
Concerts & Shows
Fun & Games
Sights & Landmarks
Water & Amusement Parks
Food & Drink
Museums
Shopping
Outdoor Activities
Nightlife
Casinos & Gambling
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ITINERARY
31h 9m1,827 miles26 stops
1
Brenton Skating Plaza
2
Capitol Building
3
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.
4
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.
5
Hot Shops Art Center
6
Hollywood Candy
Hollywood Candy is a giant candy store proudly serving Omaha’s Old Market since 2007. We offer a large selection of housemate chocolate candy including our chocolate covered bacon, chocolate potato chips, candy cookie pops and our famous Peanut Butter Surprise. We have all flavors or Jelly Belly jelly beans and a large selection of M&M’s. We offer the largest selection of bulk candy in the area including hard to find retro brands, favorite brands like Hershey’s and Oreo, rock candy, gummies, sour candy, and lollipops. Our Soda Shoppe offers over 200 varieties of familiar and unique soda brands. We have the largest collection of PEZ dispensers for everyone to enjoy plus a large assortment for sale.
7
The Backline Comedy Theatre
The best place to see comedy in Omaha, located downtown near the Old Market. We host standup, improv, sketch, and musical acts each week, and when we're not doing shows, we are a training center for the local comedy scene.
8
Joslyn Art Museum
This property is temporary closed
9
Fun Plex
10
The Farm at Lee Martinez Park
11
Red Butte Garden
Red Butte Garden is the largest botanical garden in the Intermountain West and, together with the University of Utah, is the state arboretum. The Garden has welcomed guests since 1985 and consists of over 21 acres of developed gardens and five miles of hiking trails winding through an extensive Natural Area. All just minutes away from downtown Salt Lake City. The Garden is renowned for plant collections, themed gardens, over 560,000 springtime blooms, gorgeous private rental spaces, a world-class summer concert series, and award-winning horticulture-based educational programs.
12
Sugar House Park
Once the site of Utah Territorial Prison, this park is a lot more pleasant today, with a gently rolling landscape great for running.
13
Abravanel Hall
Abravanel Hall first opened in September 1979, and was originally known as Symphony Hall, but was renamed in May 1993 for Maurice Abravanel, conductor of the Utah Symphony. The building was designed by FFKR Architects and acoustical design services were provided by Dr. Cyril M. Harris with the outcome of creating an environment of acoustic excellence. The hall is rectangular in shape, similar to some of the world’s finest symphony halls. Suspended from the ceiling are six brass chandeliers with 18,000 hand-cut beads and prisms of Bohemian crystals imported from Austria and Czechoslovakia. The lobby is four stories high with a white oak and brass ceiling and a glass wall covering the East face of the lobby. The lobby itself is an architectural marvel due to its many tiers, the staircase that goes upwards with gold leafing that covers all visible sides of the stairs and balconies, and the 30-foot-high Olympic Tower red blown-glass sculpture by renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly.
14
Great Salt Lake
This 20,000 square mile lake, the second saltiest in the world, is also a wildlife refuge attracting millions of migratory birds every year to the ten islands within it.
15
Rosewood Lakes Golf Course
Championship golf surrounded by the natural beauty of the Nevada desert: players wind through sixty acres of protected wetlands that are home to an abundance of wildlife and waterfowl.
16
Ryan's Saloon & Broiler
17
Siri's Casino
18
Wilbur D. May Center
MUSEUM/ GIFT SHOP/ ARBORETUM/ EVENT VENUE/ The Wilbur D. May Center is located in Rancho San Rafael Regional Park at 1595 North Sierra, Reno, Nevada. The Wilbur D. May Museum features rotating exhibits for the whole family, smaller art shows, the permanent collection of Wilbur May's travels around the globe, an adjoining botanical garden, and plays home to many events throughout the year such as weddings, executive fundraisers, and educational seminars.
19
McHenry Bowl
20
The State Theatre
21
Enchambered: Sacramento Escape Room
Real Escape games let you live the game. We have real-life escape games where teams of 3-12 people are locked into a custom built, challenging and entertaining environments to solve the many mysteries, puzzles and challenges. You need to unlock the final clues to open the door and escape the room. Escape Rooms are fun for all ages.
22
Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple
23
Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
24
Funderland Amusement Park
Historic Funderland Amusement Park is now open for its 2024 78th Anniversary season! First opened in 1946, Funderland continues to delight generations of Northern California families. Located on two lovely acres in Sacramento's beautiful 100+ year-old William Land Park, Funderland features ten child-sized amusement rides and attractions (nine of which children can also share and ride with their parents and grandparents!), four fun photo ops (perfect for family group shots!), a FunderTreats concession stand featuring delicious food, amusement park treats, and drinks, and plenty of big, mature shade trees! Funderland offers families a delightful day outside in welcoming and comfortable surroundings, and is also the perfect place to have your next birthday party, fundraiser, group, or corporate event! Parking is always free, and Funderland's one-price Gate Admission gives guests of all ages both entry to the park AND unlimited rides for the entire day!
25
Visit Stockton
Visit Stockton is the official source for visitor information in Stockton, CA. Free maps, guides & brochures, and Stockton related souvenirs. Our team is here to create the best experience for our visiting guests and groups. Please reach out to us to assist you in making your visit an awesome one.
26
Banner Island Ballpark
Banner Island Ballpark is the home of the Stockton Ports baseball team. Built in 2005, in Downtown Stockton, also the same place where Lawrence Thayer wrote his famous poem "Casey at the Bat" took place. Banner Island is quite the sight for new comers, located next to Stockton's deep water channel, and the Downtown Stockton skyline. Banner Island is a great place for family fun! See you at the ballpark!
Customize this Trip
OVERVIEW
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: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.
4
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.
5
Start:Hot Shops Art Center
Omaha, Nebraska·
4.5
(96) review
13th & Nicholas, Omaha, NE 68102
6
Start:Hollywood Candy
Omaha, Nebraska·
4.0
(99) review
Hollywood Candy is a giant candy store proudly serving Omaha’s Old Market since 2007. We offer a large selection of housemate chocolate candy including our chocolate covered bacon, chocolate potato chips, candy cookie pops and our famous Peanut Butter Surprise. We have all flavors or Jelly Belly jelly beans and a large selection of M&M’s. We offer the largest selection of bulk candy in the area including hard to find retro brands, favorite brands like Hershey’s and Oreo, rock candy, gummies, sour candy, and lollipops. Our Soda Shoppe offers over 200 varieties of familiar and unique soda brands. We have the largest collection of PEZ dispensers for everyone to enjoy plus a large assortment for sale.
7
Start:The Backline Comedy Theatre
Omaha, Nebraska·
5.0
(9) review
The best place to see comedy in Omaha, located downtown near the Old Market. We host standup, improv, sketch, and musical acts each week, and when we're not doing shows, we are a training center for the local comedy scene.
8
Start:Joslyn Art Museum
Omaha, Nebraska·
4.5
(901) review
This property is temporary closed
9
Start:Fun Plex
Omaha, Nebraska·
3.5
(92) review
7003 Q St, Omaha, NE 68117-1649
10
Start:The Farm at Lee Martinez Park
Fort Collins, Colorado·
4.5
(93) review
600 N Sherwood St, Fort Collins, CO 80521-2061
11
Start:Red Butte Garden
Salt Lake City, Utah·
4.5
(925) review
Red Butte Garden is the largest botanical garden in the Intermountain West and, together with the University of Utah, is the state arboretum. The Garden has welcomed guests since 1985 and consists of over 21 acres of developed gardens and five miles of hiking trails winding through an extensive Natural Area. All just minutes away from downtown Salt Lake City. The Garden is renowned for plant collections, themed gardens, over 560,000 springtime blooms, gorgeous private rental spaces, a world-class summer concert series, and award-winning horticulture-based educational programs.
12
Start:Sugar House Park
Salt Lake City, Utah·
4.5
(99) review
Once the site of Utah Territorial Prison, this park is a lot more pleasant today, with a gently rolling landscape great for running.
13
Start:Abravanel Hall
Salt Lake City, Utah·
4.5
(91) review
Abravanel Hall first opened in September 1979, and was originally known as Symphony Hall, but was renamed in May 1993 for Maurice Abravanel, conductor of the Utah Symphony. The building was designed by FFKR Architects and acoustical design services were provided by Dr. Cyril M. Harris with the outcome of creating an environment of acoustic excellence. The hall is rectangular in shape, similar to some of the world’s finest symphony halls. Suspended from the ceiling are six brass chandeliers with 18,000 hand-cut beads and prisms of Bohemian crystals imported from Austria and Czechoslovakia. The lobby is four stories high with a white oak and brass ceiling and a glass wall covering the East face of the lobby. The lobby itself is an architectural marvel due to its many tiers, the staircase that goes upwards with gold leafing that covers all visible sides of the stairs and balconies, and the 30-foot-high Olympic Tower red blown-glass sculpture by renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly.
14
Start:Great Salt Lake
Salt Lake City, Utah·
4.0
(987) review
This 20,000 square mile lake, the second saltiest in the world, is also a wildlife refuge attracting millions of migratory birds every year to the ten islands within it.
15
Start:Rosewood Lakes Golf Course
Reno, Nevada·
3.0
(9) review
Championship golf surrounded by the natural beauty of the Nevada desert: players wind through sixty acres of protected wetlands that are home to an abundance of wildlife and waterfowl.
16
Start:Ryan's Saloon & Broiler
Reno, Nevada·
4.5
(9) review
924 S Wells Ave, Reno, NV 89502-2522
17
Start:Siri's Casino
Reno, Nevada·
3.0
(9) review
241 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501-1407
18
Start:Wilbur D. May Center
Reno, Nevada·
4.5
(97) review
MUSEUM/ GIFT SHOP/ ARBORETUM/ EVENT VENUE/ The Wilbur D. May Center is located in Rancho San Rafael Regional Park at 1595 North Sierra, Reno, Nevada. The Wilbur D. May Museum features rotating exhibits for the whole family, smaller art shows, the permanent collection of Wilbur May's travels around the globe, an adjoining botanical garden, and plays home to many events throughout the year such as weddings, executive fundraisers, and educational seminars.
19
Start:McHenry Bowl
Modesto, California·
4.0
(9) review
3700 McHenry Ave, Modesto, CA 95356-1597
20
Start:The State Theatre
Modesto, California·
4.5
(91) review
1307 J St, Modesto, CA 95354-0924
21
Start:Enchambered: Sacramento Escape Room
Sacramento, California·
5.0
(98) review
Real Escape games let you live the game. We have real-life escape games where teams of 3-12 people are locked into a custom built, challenging and entertaining environments to solve the many mysteries, puzzles and challenges. You need to unlock the final clues to open the door and escape the room. Escape Rooms are fun for all ages.
22
Start:Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple
Stockton, California·
4.5
(9) review
3732 Carpenter Rd, Stockton, CA 95215-8107
23
Start:Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
Sacramento, California·
4.0
(98) review
1200 Front St, Sacramento, CA 95814-3247
24
Start:Funderland Amusement Park
Sacramento, California·
4.0
(99) review
Historic Funderland Amusement Park is now open for its 2024 78th Anniversary season! First opened in 1946, Funderland continues to delight generations of Northern California families. Located on two lovely acres in Sacramento's beautiful 100+ year-old William Land Park, Funderland features ten child-sized amusement rides and attractions (nine of which children can also share and ride with their parents and grandparents!), four fun photo ops (perfect for family group shots!), a FunderTreats concession stand featuring delicious food, amusement park treats, and drinks, and plenty of big, mature shade trees! Funderland offers families a delightful day outside in welcoming and comfortable surroundings, and is also the perfect place to have your next birthday party, fundraiser, group, or corporate event! Parking is always free, and Funderland's one-price Gate Admission gives guests of all ages both entry to the park AND unlimited rides for the entire day!
25
Start:Visit Stockton
Stockton, California·
4.5
(9) review
Visit Stockton is the official source for visitor information in Stockton, CA. Free maps, guides & brochures, and Stockton related souvenirs. Our team is here to create the best experience for our visiting guests and groups. Please reach out to us to assist you in making your visit an awesome one.
26
Start:Banner Island Ballpark
Stockton, California·
4.5
(83) review
Banner Island Ballpark is the home of the Stockton Ports baseball team. Built in 2005, in Downtown Stockton, also the same place where Lawrence Thayer wrote his famous poem "Casey at the Bat" took place. Banner Island is quite the sight for new comers, located next to Stockton's deep water channel, and the Downtown Stockton skyline. Banner Island is a great place for family fun! See you at the ballpark!
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 Merced?
The distance is 1,827 miles
What's the travel time between Des Moines and Merced?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 31h 9m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Des Moines and Merced?
Some popular stops include
Are there any cool sights or attractions I shouldn't miss on my drive to Merced?
There are plenty! Here are some stops you shouldn’t miss on your way to Merced
What’s the weather like in Merced?
The weather in Merced is generally mild year-round, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. See the links below for more information
Weather in Merced in January
Weather in Merced in February
Weather in Merced in March
Weather in Merced in April
Weather in Merced in May
Weather in Merced in June
Weather in Merced in July
Weather in Merced in August
Weather in Merced in September
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Weather in Merced in December
Interested in a detailed plan for your time in Merced?
Plan your dream Merced trip with our daily itineraries featuring must-see attractions! See them here!
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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