Origin
Chariton, IA
Night in Chariton on Wednesday
Local time
9:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chariton, IA to West Des Moines, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 25m
Distance
58.4 mi
94 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 18m
★
6 AM
1h 25m
8 AM
1h 38m
10 AM
1h 30m
12 PM
1h 28m
3 PM
1h 30m
5 PM
1h 37m
8 PM
1h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chariton, IA
Ron Lach
West Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a straightforward trip through the heart of the Midwest, the 58.4-mile journey from Chariton to West Des Moines is a convenient option. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 25 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $9, the trip is as economical as it is efficient. You will traverse local roads and state highways, transitioning from the quieter landscapes of Chariton to the more bustling environment of West Des Moines. Because the total drive time is relatively short, there is no need to worry about overnight accommodations. This route offers a practical, no-fuss way to navigate between these two Iowa locations.
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
29.2 miles from Chariton, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .
Drive Character
This mixed drive balances local connectivity with faster highway travel, utilizing State Highway 5, County Road S45, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway. Roughly 52 percent of your journey is spent on highways, providing a steady rhythm for most of the trip. You will find that the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 19.2 miles on State Highway 5, allowing for a comfortable pace before the road conditions shift. Because the route relies on a combination of different road types, you will experience a variety of driving environments throughout the 58.4-mile span. It is a functional path that moves you steadily toward your destination without the monotony often found on longer, purely interstate-based routes.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Grand Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Chariton, IA to West Des Moines, IA is easy. At 1h 25m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Chariton, IA to West Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Grand Street | — | — |
| Court Avenue | — | — |
| North 7th Street | — | — |
| Highway 14 | — | — |
| 260th Avenue | — | — |
| 50th Place | — | — |
| County Highway S45 | — | — |
| County Highway G76 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
South Grand Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chariton, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on the route
72 ft
·
7 sec
·
the route
2
Turn right onto South Grand Street
207 ft
·
11 sec
·
South Grand Street
3
Turn right onto Court Avenue
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Court Avenue
4
Turn left onto North 7th Street
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North 7th Street
5
Continue on State Highway 14
6.4 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 14
6
Turn left onto 260th Avenue
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
260th Avenue
7
Continue on 50th Place
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
50th Place
8
Continue on County Highway S45
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
County Highway S45
9
Turn right onto County Highway G76
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
County Highway G76
10
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
11
Continue on Northeast Main Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Northeast Main Street
12
At the end of the road, turn left onto B Street Northwest
367 ft
·
10 sec
·
B Street Northwest
13
Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest
463 ft
·
9 sec
·
1st Street Northwest
14
Continue on County Road S45
9.2 mi
·
16 min
·
County Road S45
15
Continue straight
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
16
Continue on State Highway 5
19 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 5
17
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
18
Take the exit slight right toward IA 28: Norwalk, Martensdale
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
IA 28: Norwalk, Martensdale
19
Turn right
4.7 mi
·
7 min
20
Turn left onto Vine Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Vine Street
21
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the 1 hour and 25-minute drive in one go, as there are no required stops along the way. While the $9 fuel estimate is a helpful baseline, consider topping off your tank in Chariton before you head out to ensure you have a full range for the journey. Keep a close eye on your speed when transitioning between the various road designations, as the shift from local country roads to the Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway can change the flow of traffic. Use the drive’s brevity to your advantage by planning your arrival in West Des Moines for a specific time, knowing that the travel duration is consistent.
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 29.2 miles from Chariton, IA, or about 42m into the drive.
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 13 miles or 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.2 miles or 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 12m
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 Chariton, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Chariton, IA
This is one driving day of about 58.4 miles and 1h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Chariton, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.2 mi from Chariton, IA · 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.2 miles from Chariton, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.13 one way
$18.26 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.02 | $20.05 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.24 | $22.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.89 | $25.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.5 | 0 | $6.13 | $2.80 |
| Efficient EV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.11 | $2.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.4 | 0 | $8.18 | $3.74 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
Night in West Des Moines on Wednesday
Local time
9:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Pleasantville, IA
29 mi in
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
1h 25m 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 Chariton, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 58.4 miles and takes about 1h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Grand Street, Court Avenue, North 7th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29.2 miles from Chariton, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.13 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.
The drive from Chariton, IA to West Des Moines, IA is easy. At 1h 25m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Chariton, IA to West Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Chariton, IA to West Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From West Des Moines, IA
More trips to West Des Moines, IA
Explore more options from Chariton, IA or browse trips ending in West Des Moines, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Chariton, IA or West Des Moines, IA on MapSof.net.