Real-Time Des Moines Traffic Intelligence
Access 420+ live traffic cameras across the Des Moines metro area. Our interactive map provides real-time access to live street feeds and intersection cameras throughout downtown Des Moines and the Capitol Complex area. Monitor the convergence of three major interstates—I-35, I-80, and I-235—including Iowa's most complex interchange, the Mixing Bowl. While Des Moines maintains relatively low congestion compared to coastal metros—ranking 484th globally by TomTom—the Mixing Bowl serves as a critical bottleneck for regional trucking and state government commuters. Get real-time visibility into Iowa's capital city and surrounding suburbs with free Iowa DOT camera feeds updated 24/7.
View Des Moines Cameras →Des Moines Camera Coverage
I-235 Corridor
140+ cameras covering the urban loop through downtown Des Moines, Capitol Complex, and key neighborhoods from Urbandale to the east side.
I-35 North-South
110+ cameras monitoring the Minnesota-to-Texas corridor through Des Moines, including the Mixing Bowl and suburban commuter zones.
I-80 East-West
100+ cameras tracking the transcontinental route from West Des Moines through downtown to the eastern suburbs and beyond.
US-65/69 & Arterials
70+ cameras on major arterials including University Avenue, Hickman Road, Douglas Avenue, and key surface streets serving local traffic.
Des Moines sits at one of the most significant interstate convergences in the Midwest, where I-35 running north-south from Minnesota to Texas intersects with I-80, the transcontinental route stretching from California to New Jersey. Add I-235's downtown loop to the mix, and you have the Mixing Bowl—Iowa's busiest and most complex interchange.
While Des Moines traffic is lighter than coastal metros, the convergence of regional trucking, state government commuters, and agricultural industry traffic creates notable congestion during rush hours. Winter weather adds another layer of complexity, with black ice and blizzard conditions capable of paralyzing the metro area.
Monitor Every Major Route
Track real-time conditions across all three interstates, the Mixing Bowl interchange, and key arterial routes. See current traffic flow before you leave.
View Des Moines Cameras →I-35: North-South Corridor
I-35 serves as Des Moines' primary north-south artery, connecting Minnesota's Twin Cities to Kansas City and continuing south to Texas. Through Des Moines, I-35 carries a heavy mix of local commuters heading to downtown jobs, state government employees, and long-haul truckers moving goods between the Upper Midwest and the South.
I-35 Key Segments
- Mixing Bowl (I-35/I-80/I-235): Iowa's most complex interchange with multiple lane splits and merges—heaviest congestion during rush hours
- University Avenue/Drake: Major exit serving Drake University and western residential areas
- Douglas Avenue: Key northern suburb access point with retail and residential traffic
- Hickman Road: High-volume exit for northern Des Moines neighborhoods and commercial zones
- I-235 Interchange: Critical junction where downtown-bound traffic splits from through traffic
- Army Post Road: Southern gateway serving industrial areas and Iowa State Fairgrounds
I-35 Rush Hour Reality
Morning (7:00-8:30 AM): Southbound traffic into downtown thickens considerably, especially between Hickman Road and the Mixing Bowl. Expect 10-15 minute delays during winter conditions.
Evening (4:30-6:00 PM): Northbound exodus from downtown creates stop-and-go traffic through the Mixing Bowl and beyond University Avenue. The I-235 merge point is a major bottleneck.
Mixing Bowl Complexity: The convergence of three interstates requires careful lane positioning—wrong-lane choices can force unwanted route diversions.
Truck Traffic: Constant semi presence, especially midday. Allow extra following distance and anticipate slower merge speeds.
Winter Months: Black ice forms rapidly on overpasses. Blizzards can reduce visibility to near-zero and close segments entirely.
I-80: East-West Transcontinental
I-80 brings coast-to-coast trucking traffic directly through Des Moines, serving as a primary freight corridor between major cities. The highway enters the metro from the west through rapidly growing suburbs like Waukee and Clive, passes through the Mixing Bowl, and continues east toward Iowa City and the Quad Cities.
I-80 Key Segments
- Mixing Bowl (Eastern Junction): Where I-80, I-35, and I-235 converge—plan lane positioning well in advance
- East 14th Street/Des Moines River: Downtown access point with connections to Capitol Complex and State Fairgrounds
- I-235 Split (West): Major junction where traffic divides between downtown loop and western suburbs
- Jordan Creek Parkway: Gateway to West Des Moines' retail hub and corporate offices
- Waukee/Clive: Fast-growing western suburbs with increasing traffic volumes and new developments
I-235: Downtown Loop
I-235 forms an urban loop around downtown Des Moines, providing direct access to the Capitol Complex, major employers, hospitals, and residential neighborhoods. As the primary urban thoroughfare for the state capital, I-235 carries between 63,000 and 125,000 vehicles per day according to Iowa DOT and MPO data, making it one of Iowa's most heavily traveled routes. This 15-mile route connects I-35 on the north side with I-80 on the east, carrying a significant portion of daily commuter traffic into the city center. Users can also monitor live street feeds along Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and Fleur Drive to check for road-level gridlock near the business district or airport approaches.
I-235 Key Segments
- I-35 Northern Interchange: Where suburban commuters merge onto the downtown loop
- 63rd Street/Urbandale: Western residential access serving growing suburban areas
- 42nd Street/Ingersoll: Mid-town exit for hospitals, restaurants, and neighborhoods
- Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway: Major downtown connector with Capitol Complex access
- 3rd Street/Court Avenue: Heart of downtown—business district, government buildings, entertainment venues
- Pennsylvania Avenue/East 14th: Eastern gateway serving residential areas and DSM Airport connections
- I-80 Eastern Interchange: Southern junction where loop traffic merges with transcontinental I-80
The Mixing Bowl: Iowa's Busiest Interchange
The Mixing Bowl is where I-35, I-80, and I-235 converge in a complex series of ramps, lane splits, and merges. This interchange handles the highest traffic volumes in Iowa and requires careful navigation, especially for first-time drivers.
Mixing Bowl Strategy
Know Your Route: Understand which interstate you need before entering—lane changes become difficult once committed.
Stay Right for I-80 East: Traffic heading east toward Iowa City should stay in right lanes well before the interchange.
Stay Left for I-35 South: Traffic continuing south toward Kansas City needs left lanes through the convergence.
I-235 Into Downtown: Middle lanes generally feed the downtown loop—watch overhead signs carefully.
Rush Hour Gridlock: The Mixing Bowl can back up for miles during peak hours (7-9 AM, 4:30-6:30 PM).
Truck Congestion: Semi traffic constantly navigates this interchange—allow extra space and patience.
Weather Closures: Winter storms can shut down the Mixing Bowl entirely. Check cameras before attempting passage.
Navigate the Mixing Bowl
See real-time conditions at Iowa's most complex interchange. Monitor all approach routes and identify clearest paths through the convergence.
Check Live Cameras →Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
Des Moines International Airport sits just south of I-235 on the city's southeast side, serving domestic routes and cargo operations. Airport access primarily uses Fleur Drive and connections from I-235 and I-35.
Airport Access Routes
- I-235 to Fleur Drive: Primary route from western suburbs and downtown—exit at Pennsylvania Avenue or East 14th
- I-35 South to Army Post Road: Approach from north or south Des Moines
- US-65/69 to Fleur Drive: Alternative route from southern suburbs and rural areas
- Surface Street Access: University Avenue, Army Post Road, and SE 14th Street provide local connections
Airport Timing Strategy
Rush Hour Buffer: Add 20-30 minutes to your airport drive during morning (7-9 AM) or evening (4:30-6:30 PM) commutes. The I-235/Fleur Drive area backs up significantly during peak periods.
Mixing Bowl Factor: If approaching from the north or west via I-35, account for Mixing Bowl delays that can add 15+ minutes.
Early Morning Flights: Traffic is generally light before 6:30 AM, allowing normal travel times from most metro locations.
Weather Delays: Winter storms can double travel times. Check cameras on I-235 and approach routes before leaving for the airport.
Traffic Patterns
Des Moines follows predictable weekday rush hour patterns, with most congestion centered on interstate routes into and out of downtown.
Des Moines Rush Hours
Morning Peak (7:00-8:30 AM):
- Southbound I-35 from northern suburbs
- Westbound I-80 from eastern suburbs
- I-235 loop traffic into downtown
- University Avenue and Hickman Road chokepoints
Evening Peak (4:30-6:30 PM):
- Northbound I-35 toward Ankeny and Ames
- Eastbound I-80 toward eastern suburbs
- Outbound I-235 from downtown
- Mixing Bowl becomes major bottleneck
The average one-way commute for Des Moines residents is approximately 20.1 minutes, with a median distance of 9.1 miles, which remains significantly shorter than the U.S. national average. Traffic safety is a significant concern in the metro area, which recorded 37,635 total crashes in 2024, with high-risk segments like I-235 requiring constant monitoring during inclement weather.
Best Times to Drive:
- Mid-morning (9:30-11:00 AM)
- Early afternoon (1:00-3:30 PM)
- Late evening (after 7:00 PM)
- Weekends outside of event traffic
Avoid if Possible:
- Friday evenings (5-7 PM) for weekend getaways
- Monday mornings (7:30-9 AM) for return traffic
- Iowa State Fair days (see below)
- University move-in/graduation weekends
Weather Impact
Iowa's continental climate brings extreme seasonal weather that significantly affects Des Moines traffic. Winter storms and summer severe weather require constant monitoring of road conditions.
Winter Challenges
Blizzards and Black Ice
Blizzard Conditions: Iowa winters bring heavy snow and whiteout conditions that can shut down interstates entirely. Snowfall rates of 2+ inches per hour reduce visibility to near-zero.
Black Ice Formation: Overpasses and bridges freeze first, creating invisible ice patches. The Mixing Bowl's elevated ramps are particularly dangerous during temperature swings.
Wind Chill Factor: Open prairie winds create dangerous wind chills and blowing snow that obscures lanes. High-profile vehicles face rollover risk.
Closures: Iowa DOT can close entire interstate segments during severe winter storms. Check cameras and 511 before traveling.
Temperature Swings: Rapid freeze-thaw cycles create slush, ice patches, and pothole damage throughout winter months.
Severe Weather and Thunderstorms
Spring and summer bring severe thunderstorms with heavy rain, hail, and tornado potential. Flash flooding can close underpasses and low-lying routes. When tornado warnings are issued, avoid travel entirely—Iowa sits in Tornado Alley with frequent severe weather events.
Iowa State Fair
The Iowa State Fair transforms Des Moines traffic for 11 days every August, bringing 1+ million visitors to the fairgrounds located just east of downtown near the I-35/I-80/US-65 intersection.
Fair Traffic Impact
Duration: 11 days in mid-August (typically second week)
Daily Attendance: 100,000+ people per day, with peak crowds on weekends
I-80 Congestion: Eastbound traffic backs up significantly during morning hours (8-11 AM) as fairgoers arrive. Evening exits (5-9 PM) create westbound delays.
I-35 Spillover: North-south traffic slows around East 14th Street/University Avenue exits.
Parking Lots: Fairgrounds parking lots fill by mid-morning on busy days, forcing overflow traffic to circle repeatedly.
Local Street Gridlock: East 14th Street, Grand Avenue, University Avenue become parking lots during peak fair hours.
Avoidance Strategy: Use I-235 to bypass the fairgrounds area entirely if not attending. If visiting the fair, arrive before 9 AM or after 7 PM to avoid worst traffic.
Monitor Current Conditions
Check real-time cameras across Des Moines before you drive. See current traffic flow, weather conditions, and identify fastest routes.
View Live Cameras →About the Platform
Our platform aggregates 135,000+ live traffic cameras from 600+ official sources across the United States and worldwide. For Des Moines, we provide direct access to all Iowa DOT cameras covering I-35, I-80, I-235, and arterial routes throughout the metro area.
All feeds are free, publicly available, and updated in real-time. No subscription required—just instant access to the road conditions you need.
Related Guides
- Iowa Traffic Cameras: Statewide coverage including Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Davenport
- Custom Route Builder: Create saved routes with cameras along your specific commute paths
How many traffic cameras cover Des Moines?
420+ live cameras monitor Des Moines metro area roads, including all three interstates (I-35, I-80, I-235), the Mixing Bowl interchange, and major arterial routes.
Are Des Moines traffic cameras free to view?
Yes, all cameras are provided by Iowa DOT and Iowa 511 as free public services. No subscription or registration required.
How often do Des Moines camera feeds update?
Iowa DOT cameras typically refresh every 10-30 seconds, providing near real-time traffic conditions across the metro area.
Can I view Des Moines traffic cameras on mobile?
Yes, our platform works on all devices—desktop, tablet, and smartphone. Access cameras anywhere to check conditions before you leave.
What's the best way to avoid Des Moines rush hour traffic?
Travel before 7 AM or after 6:30 PM on weekdays. If you must drive during rush hours, use live cameras to identify clearest routes and avoid the Mixing Bowl during peak congestion (7-9 AM, 4:30-6:30 PM).
Where can I find Des Moines street feeds?
You can find live Des Moines street feeds and intersection cameras by using our interactive map, which aggregates Iowa DOT data for major surface routes like University Avenue and Hickman Road.
Start Monitoring Des Moines Traffic
Access 420+ live cameras and city street feeds across Des Moines. Monitor I-35, I-80, I-235, and city street feeds in real-time. Make informed decisions before every drive.
View All Des Moines Cameras →