Drive Time
1h 9m
Distance
58.2 mi
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
The drive from Chariton, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 58.2 miles and takes about 1h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Grand Street, Court Avenue, North 7th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.64 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
29.1 miles from Chariton, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 34m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 9m drive with frequent turns across 58.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Grand Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Court Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North 7th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 14 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 260th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 50th Place | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Highway S45 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Highway G76 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Chariton, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
Start on the route
Turn right onto South Grand Street
Turn right onto Court Avenue
Turn left onto North 7th Street
Continue on State Highway 14
Turn left onto 260th Avenue
Continue on 50th Place
Continue on County Highway S45
Turn right onto County Highway G76
Turn left onto South Main Street
Continue on Northeast Main Street
At the end of the road, turn left onto B Street Northwest
Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest
Continue on County Road S45
Continue straight
Continue on State Highway 5
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Take the exit slight right toward IA 28: Norwalk, Martensdale
Turn right
Turn left 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 58.2 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.1 miles or 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 58m
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 Chariton, 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 Chariton, IA
This is one driving day of about 58.2 miles and 1h 9m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.1 mi from Chariton, IA · 34m 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.
A short stop after about 58.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 29.1 miles from Chariton, 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
$8.64 one way
$17.28 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $9.75 | $19.49 |
| premium | $4.65 | $10.66 | $21.33 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $12.15 | $24.31 |
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.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.5 | 0 | $6.11 | $2.79 |
| Efficient EV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.09 | $2.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.3 | 0 | $8.15 | $3.72 |
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Chariton on Saturday
Local time
5:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in West Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
5:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
44°F
Des Moines, IA
29 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
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 Chariton, IA or browse trips ending in West Des Moines, IA.
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