Road trip from Merced to Des Moines
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Concerts & Shows
Fun & Games
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Sights & Landmarks
Concerts & Shows
Fun & Games
Water & Amusement Parks
Museums
Shopping
Outdoor Activities
Nature & Parks
Food & Drink
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ITINERARY
31h 10m1,828 miles28 stops
1
The State Theatre
2
McHenry Bowl
3
Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple
4
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.
5
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!
6
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!
7
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.
8
Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
9
Mountain Top Sports
10
Galena Creek Regional Park
Popular year-round, this regional park offers hiking in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter.
11
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.
12
Bruka Theatre
13
Siri's Casino
14
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.
15
Sierra Nevada Zoological Park
The Sierra Nevada Zoological Society was founded by three men. Jimmie Martin, Dale McDaniel and Dave Dawson. These men translated their passion for animals into a beloved fixture of the Northern Nevada Community as the Sierra Safari Zoo, and now as the Sierra Nevada Zoological Park. Over the years, hundreds of volunteers and sponsors have given their time, effort and money to keep the Zoo thriving. As we look forward to the next thirty years we are dedicated to expanding and enhancing our educational programs and community outreach, as well as, improving and expanding the facility and our animal enrichment programs.
16
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.
17
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.
18
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.
19
Cache La Poudre River
Colorado's only designated National Wild and Scenic River provides thrilling whitewater and paddling adventures.
20
Rocky Ridge Recreational Facility
Our facility provides opportunities for water skiing, fishing, upland game bird hunting, and waterfowl hunting. We also offer dog training and boarding services. Rocky Ridge Recreational Facility is conveniently located 5 miles north of Fort Collins, Colorado and 4 miles west of Interstate-25, Mountain Vista Exit #271.
21
Farm Fusion In The Kitchen
22
Fun Plex
23
Joslyn Art Museum
This property is temporary closed
24
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.
25
Hot Shops Art Center
26
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.
27
Brenton Skating Plaza
28
Capitol Building
Customize this Trip
OVERVIEW
Merced to Des Moines
1
Start:The State Theatre
Modesto, California·
4.5
(91) review
1307 J St, Modesto, CA 95354-0924
2
Start:McHenry Bowl
Modesto, California·
4.0
(9) review
3700 McHenry Ave, Modesto, CA 95356-1597
3
Start:Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple
Stockton, California·
4.5
(9) review
3732 Carpenter Rd, Stockton, CA 95215-8107
4
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.
5
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!
6
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!
7
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.
8
Start:Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
Sacramento, California·
4.0
(98) review
1200 Front St, Sacramento, CA 95814-3247
9
Start:Mountain Top Sports
Reno, Nevada·
4.0
(7) review
11000 Mount Rose Hwy, Reno, NV 89511-5002
10
Start:Galena Creek Regional Park
Reno, Nevada·
4.5
(57) review
Popular year-round, this regional park offers hiking in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter.
11
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.
12
Start:Bruka Theatre
Reno, Nevada·
4.5
(9) review
99 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501-1403
13
Start:Siri's Casino
Reno, Nevada·
3.0
(9) review
241 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501-1407
14
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.
15
Start:Sierra Nevada Zoological Park
Reno, Nevada·
3.0
(71) review
The Sierra Nevada Zoological Society was founded by three men. Jimmie Martin, Dale McDaniel and Dave Dawson. These men translated their passion for animals into a beloved fixture of the Northern Nevada Community as the Sierra Safari Zoo, and now as the Sierra Nevada Zoological Park. Over the years, hundreds of volunteers and sponsors have given their time, effort and money to keep the Zoo thriving. As we look forward to the next thirty years we are dedicated to expanding and enhancing our educational programs and community outreach, as well as, improving and expanding the facility and our animal enrichment programs.
16
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.
17
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.
18
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.
19
Start:Cache La Poudre River
Fort Collins, Colorado·
5.0
(427) review
Colorado's only designated National Wild and Scenic River provides thrilling whitewater and paddling adventures.
20
Start:Rocky Ridge Recreational Facility
Fort Collins, Colorado·
(0) review
Our facility provides opportunities for water skiing, fishing, upland game bird hunting, and waterfowl hunting. We also offer dog training and boarding services. Rocky Ridge Recreational Facility is conveniently located 5 miles north of Fort Collins, Colorado and 4 miles west of Interstate-25, Mountain Vista Exit #271.
21
Start:Farm Fusion In The Kitchen
Fort Collins, Colorado·
(0) review
2627 Cattlemans Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80524-2023
22
Start:Fun Plex
Omaha, Nebraska·
3.5
(92) review
7003 Q St, Omaha, NE 68117-1649
23
Start:Joslyn Art Museum
Omaha, Nebraska·
4.5
(901) review
This property is temporary closed
24
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.
25
Start:Hot Shops Art Center
Omaha, Nebraska·
4.5
(96) review
13th & Nicholas, Omaha, NE 68102
26
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.
27
Start:Brenton Skating Plaza
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(9) review
520 Robert D Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309-1824
28
Start:Capitol Building
Des Moines, Iowa·
5.0
(890) review
1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50319-1001
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 Merced and Des Moines?
The distance is 1,828 miles
What's the travel time between Merced and Des Moines?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 31h 10m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Merced 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!
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Where else can I travel to if I'm starting my trip in Merced?
We have a lot of great trip options for Merced! See the links below for all the itineraries we created for you