Drive Time
24m
Distance
20 mi
Route Type
Turn-heavy local drive
Quick day tripSame Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
The drive from Altoona, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 20 miles and takes about 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 8th Street Southwest, East Broadway Avenue, Hubbell Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $2.97 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
10 miles from Altoona, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .
Expect a 24m drive with frequent turns across 20 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 8th Street Southwest | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Broadway Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Hubbell Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Guthrie Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I-235 west | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| John MacVicar Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| IA 28 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 63rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
Start on 1st Avenue South
Turn right onto 8th Street Southwest
Continue on East Broadway Avenue
Turn slight left onto Hubbell Avenue
Turn right onto Guthrie Avenue
Turn left onto I-235 west
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights
Turn left onto 63rd Street
Turn right onto Vine Street
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 20 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10 miles or 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Des Moines, IA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Altoona, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Altoona, IA
This is one driving day of about 20 miles and 24m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10 mi from Altoona, IA · 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
10 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 10 miles from Altoona, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into West Des Moines, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around West Des Moines, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$2.97 one way
$5.94 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $3.35 | $6.70 |
| premium | $4.65 | $3.66 | $7.33 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $4.18 | $8.35 |
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals (1 day)
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7 kg one way.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Altoona on Saturday
Local time
3:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in West Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
3:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Explore more options from Altoona, IA or browse trips ending in West Des Moines, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Altoona, IA or West Des Moines, IA on MapSof.net.