Itinerary

Nashville to Des Moines

Let’s Hit the Road

Pack your bags and buckle up for a summer road trip full of must-see landmarks and natural beauty to explore along the way.

Journey through the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and take in panoramic views of St. Louis atop the Gateway Arch in this fully-planned itinerary from Nashville, Tenn. to Des Moines, Iowa.

Don’t forget to use the Get Biofuel Fuel Finder to find Unleaded 88 (E15) pumps along the way and head out on your own Green American Road Trip with a greener, cleaner fuel.

663
miles
10.5
hours driving
4
major stops

Highlights:

Some fun stops for the whole family
1
Land Between the Lakes National Rec. Area
2
Gateway Arch National Park
3
Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse
4
Blank Park Zoo
Pro tip:

Plan your stops with the Get Biofuel Fuel Finder tool.

Road trip like

the East family

Check out all the fun The East Family had on the road to Des Moines and use our Trip At A Glance to plan your own!

Trip at a Glance

Day 1:
Nashville to St. Louis
Drive time: 5 hours

Heading out from Nashville, you’ll start your journey by exploring the natural beauty of Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. From there, you’ll take a quick drive to St. Louis, Mo. to see the iconic Gateway Arch and take in the breathtaking views of the city skyline.

After a day of exploring, opt for an eco-friendly hotel, where you can relax and recharge before hitting the road again.

Day 2:
St. Louis to Des Moines
Drive time: 8.5 hours

Kick off the day by venturing to the town of Hannibal, Mo. to visit the historic Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse and experience the charm of small-town America. Grab some lunch along the Mississippi before you hit the road again!

Finally, you’ll end your trip in Des Moines, Iowa at the Blank Park Zoo, where you can get up close and personal with some fuzzy friends.

Find lower carbon emitting Unleaded 88 (E15) gas stops along your route. Use the Get Biofuel Fuel Finder tool.

Places to See Along the Way

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area

Be an outdoorsman for the day and catch a peek at the roaming bison in the grassland!

Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse

Visit the favorite play area of Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, and the gang at this memorial for American writer Mark Twain.

Find Unleaded 88 at These Locations

Casey's. Kum & Go. Kwik Trip. Kwik Star. Minnoco. Thorntons. Sheetz. Fresh food. Made to order.