I-35 Kansas City - Des Moines - Minneapolis (moving, design)

[Lily0fthevalley]

That 80/35 congestion on the west side of DM scares the bejubers out of me - I used to have to do it five days a week and really, really, hated it! Never took the 235 route, but IMHO it never makes sense to go through any downtown for a faster trip.

So, here's my secret and wonderful route around DM:

Coming down from the north, where 80/35 merge, take a quick bop west to 65. Go south and around the city on 65/5, joining 35 again south of Clive.

This hwy is not heavily travelled and has always been happy, smooth sailing for me. It adds a few more miles, but more than makes up for that with a quick, safe, stress-free drive. And I don't think it adds much more time, either.

FYI, I drove N on 35 from Albert Lea to north of the Twin Cities on Friday the 16th. Due to construction and traffic congestion it took me THREE HOURS to get between Faribault and the exit to White Bear Lake!!!!! I think that stretch normally takes about an hour and a half. So, be prepared for some slow driving in that area!

I usually stop to let my dog out and eat where there are a group of restaurants and a Cabelas etc. north of Owatonna in an area called Clinton Falls - exit 45, it looks like.

Now, let's see all the bullies who populate the Iowa forum jump on this - ya just can't win when it comes to the Iowa posters. GO RONNIE!

[ProspectiveTransplant]

Owatonna, MN (maybe an hour south of the Twin Cities) off 35 has a few basic places to stop to eat, but I found people there to be just so nice when I did.

[capitalcityguy]

Originally Posted by Lily0fthevalley

That 80/35 congestion on the west side of DM scares the bejubers out of me - I used to have to do it five days a week and really, really, hated it! Never took the 235 route, but IMHO it never makes sense to go through any downtown for a faster trip.

I don't think the OP's point was to make the fastest trip but rather, if they could still catch a bit of the city by taking 1-235 without costing them too much time.

I would disagree that the 65/5 bypass would be faster. The route goes too far to the southeast for a stretch and then east for it to be faster. That said, yes, it would be the least traveled if that is the OP's main desire.

[Lily0fthevalley]

Did you ever notice that people from central Iowa never travel anywhere? They stay in their tickytacky mcgolfcourse houses and eat bacon, ham and pork chops all day long. While their kids are smoking meth in their basements.

[capitalcityguy]

^^^ Why are you suddenly trolling for comments? In the past, you've provided some thoughtful, helpful comments to people out here. I don't get the purpose for you suddenly throwing out comments like the one above.

[Lily0fthevalley]

You're in the wrong, oh team member CapitalCity. On CD all posters are welcome to express personal opinions. Anyone with sense reads each post as just that - an opinion based on personal experience.

OP, you might do some on-line experiments with mileage/speed. If you want to travel through Des Moines quickly and peacefully, I'd strongly recommend the 5/65 route. Because of minimal traffic you will be able to travel safely through at a higher speed, adding only a few more minutes (if that) to your trip. If, however, you want to experience downtown Des Moines (which is completely boring), take 235. But unless you enjoy traffic combat, I'd recommend avoiding the 35/80 merge on the west side of Des Moines. It's awful even on Sundays.

Team Member CapitalCity is free to express his own opinions. And you, OP are free to decide whatever you want to do based on your own interests and needs! Have a great trip!

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by Lily0fthevalley

You're in the wrong, oh team member CapitalCity. On CD all posters are welcome to express personal opinions. Anyone with sense reads each post as just that - an opinion based on personal experience.

OP, you might do some on-line experiments with mileage/speed. If you want to travel through Des Moines quickly and peacefully, I'd strongly recommend the 5/65 route. Because of minimal traffic you will be able to travel safely through at a higher speed, adding only a few more minutes (if that) to your trip. If, however, you want to experience downtown Des Moines (which is completely boring), take 235. But unless you enjoy traffic combat, I'd recommend avoiding the 35/80 merge on the west side of Des Moines. It's awful even on Sundays.

Team Member CapitalCity is free to express his own opinions. And you, OP are free to decide whatever you want to do based on your own interests and needs! Have a great trip!

Traffic in Des Moines is never awful. Especially on Sundays. Seriously.

When I travel through a metro area I haven't seen I like to take the route that takes me through the city center, not bypass it. But that is my opinion.

[steel03]

Originally Posted by Lily0fthevalley

Did you ever notice that people from central Iowa never travel anywhere? They stay in their tickytacky mcgolfcourse houses and eat bacon, ham and pork chops all day long. While their kids are smoking meth in their basements.

Ok honestly what a dumb thing to attack DSM for. Just plain not true. I swear Kansas City's population probably doubles on weekends thanks to DSM tourists, and they also go to IAC, Omaha, and Chicago all the time.

And traffic is literally never bad in Des Moines. I have never even HEARD of a traffic jam in Des Moines. I hate to think what your reaction would be to I-394 heading out of Minneapolis at 5 pm.

[fezzador]

DSM traffic isn't fun at times, but it's small potatoes compared to MSP.

And MSP is a breeze compared to Atlanta.

[runewell]

DSM driving is a breeze, anyone afraid of the 80/35 corridor is better off riding a bike.