The drive from Buffalo, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 177.2 miles and takes about 3h 20m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 80, I 280, John MacVicar Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 87.9 miles on I 80.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.70 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
88.6 miles from Buffalo, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 177.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 3h 20m highway drive covering 177.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and I 280. The longest continuous stretch is about 87.9 miles on I 80.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 87.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 280. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Jefferson Street.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Buffalo, IA to West Des Moines, IA is easy. At 3h 20m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (IA 22 / West Front Street): Navigation decision point; at 165.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Jefferson Street
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|IA 22 / West Front Street
Turn left onto IA 22 / West Front Street
Navigation decision point
7
165.4 mi into trip|~3h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 137A
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
8
175.4 mi into trip|~3h 16m 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
176.8 mi into trip|~3h 19m in|Vine Street
Turn right onto Vine Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
87.9 mi
1h 34m
I 280
71.9 mi
1h 19m
John MacVicar Freeway
9.4 mi
12m
West Front Street
2.9 mi
4m
Rockingham Road
2.2 mi
3m
63rd Street
1.1 mi
2m
Vine Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Jefferson Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 87.9 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on 2nd Street
35 ft·5 sec·2nd Street
2
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
375 ft·16 sec·Jefferson Street
3
Turn left onto IA 22
2.9 mi·4 min·West Front Street
4
Continue on IA 22
2.2 mi·3 min·Rockingham Road
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
6
Merge onto I 280
72 mi·1 hr 19 min·I 280
7
Continue on I 80
88 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 137AToward I 235 West: Des MoinesUse the slight left lane.
9
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
9.4 mi·12 min·John MacVicar Freeway
Toward I 235 West: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 4Toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor HeightsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto IA 28
1.1 mi·2 min·63rd Street
12
Turn right onto Vine Street
0.4 mi·59 sec·Vine Street
13
Arrive at destination
Vine Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 88.6 miles from Buffalo, IA, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.9 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 39 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.6 miles or 1h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 41m
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 Buffalo, 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 Buffalo, IA
This is one driving day of about 177.2 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Buffalo, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 87.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 88.6 mi from Buffalo, IA
· 1h 39m into the drive
The midpoint is around 88.6 miles from Buffalo, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.9 miles.
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.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.70 one way
$55.41 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.42
$60.83
premium
$4.89
$34.10
$68.20
diesel
$5.61
$39.12
$78.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.2
0
$18.61
$8.51
Efficient EV
44.3
0
$15.50
$7.09
EV Truck/SUV
70.9
0
$24.81
$11.34
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Buffalo, IA
Morning
in Buffalo on Friday
Local time
6:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
West Des Moines, IA
Morning
in West Des Moines on Friday
Local time
6:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Vinton, IA
89 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 20m 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 Buffalo, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 177.2 miles and takes about 3h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, I 280, John MacVicar Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 88.6 miles from Buffalo, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.70 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Buffalo, IA to West Des Moines, IA is easy. At 3h 20m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (IA 22 / West Front Street): Navigation decision point; at 165.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Buffalo, IA to West Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
