Origin
Altoona, IA
Afternoon in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
1:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Altoona, IA to West Des Moines, IA
Drive Time
26m
Distance
15.6 mi
25 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Photo: Daniel Dorfer
Trip Overview
Spanning just 15.6 miles, this quick trip from Altoona to West Des Moines is a straightforward drive that takes approximately 26 minutes to complete. Because of the short distance, you can easily tackle this route as a simple day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate primarily via the John MacVicar Freeway, Hubbell Avenue, and 8th Street Southwest to reach your destination within the same Midwest region. Budgeting about $2 for fuel should be more than enough to cover the entire journey. It is a practical, efficient route that serves as a seamless connection between these two Iowa communities.
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
7.8 miles from Altoona, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience that balances highway efficiency with local navigation. About 44% of your journey is spent on major highways, providing a quick pace before transitioning into local streets. You will encounter your longest stretch of uninterrupted driving during a 6.9-mile segment on the John MacVicar Freeway. As you progress, the road character shifts from the higher speeds of the freeway to the more controlled environment of Hubbell Avenue and 8th Street Southwest. This combination ensures you spend minimal time behind the wheel while moving through the heart of the area.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
John MacVicar Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 6.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
955 ft
814 ft
Total Climb
291 ft
Total Descent
420 ft
Highest Point
955 ft
~3.3 mi in
Elevation Range
142 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 6 Hist / 8th Street Southwest.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 15.6 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 6 Hist / 8th Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 6.9 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 6 Hist / 8th Street Southwest
Turn right onto US 6 Hist / 8th Street Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
4
6.7 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Turn left toward I-235 west
Navigation decision point
Toward I-235 west
5
6.9 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Merge onto I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
13.8 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4
Toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights
4
14.1 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
IA 28 / 63rd Street
Turn left onto IA 28 / 63rd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Altoona, IA to West Des Moines, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Windsor Heights along the way.
Windsor Heights
13.8 mi in
|
~22m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| John MacVicar Freeway | 6.9 mi | 9m |
| Hubbell Avenue | 3.3 mi | 6m |
| 8th Street Southwest | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| 63rd Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Guthrie Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Vine Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Broadway Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 1st Avenue South | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
John MacVicar Freeway
— 6.9 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on 1st Avenue South
48 ft
·
3 sec
·
1st Avenue South
2
Turn right onto US 6 Hist
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
8th Street Southwest
Use the none lane.
3
Continue on US 6 Hist
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
East Broadway Avenue
Use the none lane.
4
Turn slight left onto US 6
3.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Hubbell Avenue
Use the none lane.
5
Turn right onto Guthrie Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Guthrie Avenue
6
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I-235 west
7
Merge onto I 235
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 4
Toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto IA 28
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
63rd Street
Use the none lane.
10
Turn right onto Vine Street
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Vine Street
11
Arrive at destination
Vine Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 26-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about strict timing. You won't need to worry about planning formal stops, as the duration is brief enough to complete in one go. Keep in mind that the transition from the John MacVicar Freeway to local surface streets like 8th Street Southwest requires your full attention as traffic patterns change. To keep your transit smooth, ensure your fuel tank is ready for the $2 estimated cost before heading out. Take advantage of the short travel time to enjoy a stress-free transition between these two locations.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 7.8 miles from Altoona, IA, or about 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.9 miles.
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 15.6 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.8 miles or 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Des Moines, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 15.6 miles and 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Altoona, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on John MacVicar Freeway for about 6.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.8 mi from Altoona, IA · 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
8 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Arriving in West Des Moines, IA
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.37 one way
$4.74 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $2.61 | $5.22 |
| premium | $4.80 | $2.94 | $5.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.47 | $6.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.7 | 0 | $1.64 | $0.75 |
| Efficient EV | 3.9 | 0 | $1.37 | $0.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.2 | 0 | $2.18 | $1.00 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
West Des Moines, IA
Afternoon in West Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
1:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
26m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Altoona, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 15.6 miles and takes about 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are John MacVicar Freeway, Hubbell Avenue, 8th Street Southwest. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.8 miles from Altoona, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.37 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 15.6 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 6 Hist / 8th Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 6.9 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Altoona, IA to West Des Moines, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Windsor Heights along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 814 ft to 955 ft elevation with about 291 ft of total climbing.
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