Origin
Camanche, IA
Afternoon in Camanche on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Camanche, IA to West Des Moines, IA
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
3h 50m
Distance
198.6 mi
320 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 38m
★
6 AM
3h 50m
8 AM
4h 16m
10 AM
3h 59m
12 PM
3h 57m
3 PM
4h 1m
5 PM
4h 15m
8 PM
3h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Camanche, IA
Heber Vazquez
West Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Camanche, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 198.6 miles and takes about 3h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 80, John MacVicar Freeway, 240th Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 163.3 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.05 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
99.3 miles from Camanche, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 3h 50m highway drive covering 198.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and John MacVicar Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 163.3 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 18 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 163.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and John MacVicar Freeway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near 9th Avenue.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 50m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (9th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 6 miles (US 67): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 23.4 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
9th Avenue
Turn right onto 9th Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
US 67
Keep slight left at fork onto US 67
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
23.4 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
186.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m 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
196.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 46m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 163.3 mi | 2h 57m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| 240th Avenue | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| East Highway 67 | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| Bluff Road | 4 mi | 5m |
| US 67 | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| Wells Ferry Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Indiana Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 163.3 mi, about 2h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Camanche, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on South Washington Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
South Washington Boulevard
2
Turn right onto 9th Avenue
325 ft
·
14 sec
·
9th Avenue
3
Turn left onto 9th Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
9th Street
4
Turn left onto US 67
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
East Highway 67
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 67
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
US 67
6
Turn right onto CR F33
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Bluff Road
7
Turn left onto CR Z30
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
240th Avenue
8
Continue on CR Z30
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Wells Ferry Road
9
Turn right onto Indiana Avenue
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Indiana Avenue
10
Turn slight left onto Middle Road
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Middle Road
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
12
Merge onto I 80
163 mi
·
2 hr 57 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 137A
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Use the slight left lane.
14
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
9.4 mi
·
12 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 4
Toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn left onto IA 28
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
63rd Street
17
Turn right onto Vine Street
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Vine Street
18
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 99.3 miles from Camanche, IA, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 163.3 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.3 miles or 1h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 6m
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 Camanche, 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 Camanche, IA
This is one driving day of about 198.6 miles and 3h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Camanche, 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 163.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 99.3 mi from Camanche, IA · 1h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
99 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 99.3 miles from Camanche, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 163.3 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.05 one way
$62.10 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $34.09 | $68.18 |
| premium | $4.89 | $38.22 | $76.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.85 | $87.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.6 | 0 | $20.85 | $9.53 |
| Efficient EV | 49.7 | 0 | $17.38 | $7.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.4 | 0 | $27.80 | $12.71 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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 Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 50m 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 Camanche, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 198.6 miles and takes about 3h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, John MacVicar Freeway, 240th Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 99.3 miles from Camanche, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.05 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.
This is a straightforward 3h 50m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (9th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 6 miles (US 67): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 23.4 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Camanche, IA to West Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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