The drive from Coo n Rapids, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 66.1 miles and takes about 1h 30m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway, Northwest Granger Drive, I 80 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 33.7 miles on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.33 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.
Midpoint
33.1 miles from Coo n Rapids, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 30m. Total distance: 66.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 30m drive with frequent turns across 66.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 33.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 56.9 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 66.1 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 56.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.6 miles (I 80; I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.9 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
56.9 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward I-35 south, I-80 west: Kansas City, Council Bluffs
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.
Toward I-35 south, I-80 west: Kansas City, Coun...
5
57.6 mi into trip|~1h 17m in|I 80; I 35
Merge onto I 80; I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
60.9 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
61.3 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|Ramp 72 I
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 I toward I 235 East: West Des Moines, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 72A
Toward I 235 East: West Des Moines, Des Moines
8
64.5 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3
Toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Coo n Rapids, IA and West Des Moines, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs and Des Moines.
Council Bluffs
56.9 mi in|~1h 16m
Des Moines
61.3 mi in|~1h 22m|via Ramp 72 I
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
33.7 mi
46m
Northwest Granger Drive
16.5 mi
19m
I 80
3.3 mi
3m
John MacVicar Freeway
2.8 mi
3m
Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi
3m
Southeast Grimes Boulevard
1.8 mi
2m
8th Street
1 mi
2m
Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
— 33.7 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coo n Rapids, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on Main Street
8 ft·5 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto South 5th Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·South 5th Avenue
3
Turn left onto IA 141
13 mi·18 min·George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
4
Continue on IA 141
0.5 mi·55 sec·Railway Street
5
Continue on IA 141
3.4 mi·4 min·George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
6
Keep slight left at fork onto IA 141
17 mi·23 min·George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
7
Continue on IA 141
16 mi·19 min·Northwest Granger Drive
8
Continue on IA 141
2.6 mi·3 min·Northwest 114th Street
9
Continue on IA 141
1.0 mi·1 min·Northeast Grimes Boulevard
10
Continue on IA 141
0.6 mi·49 sec·Grimes Boulevard
11
Continue on IA 141
1.8 mi·2 min·Southeast Grimes Boulevard
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I-35 south, I-80 west: Kansas City, Council BluffsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 80; I 35
3.3 mi·3 min·I 80; I 35
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
0.4 mi·26 sec·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 I
0.4 mi·56 sec·Ramp 72 I
Exit 72AToward I 235 East: West Des Moines, Des MoinesUse the right lane.
16
Merge onto I 235
2.8 mi·3 min·John MacVicar Freeway
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 3Toward Windsor Heights, West Des MoinesUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn right onto 8th Street
1.0 mi·2 min·8th Street
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto Vine Street
468 ft·12 sec·Vine Street
20
Arrive at destination
Vine Street
Trip Plan
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 33.1 miles from Coo n Rapids, IA, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.7 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 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.1 miles or 46m 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 15m
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 Coo n Rapids, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Coo n Rapids, IA
This is one driving day of about 66.1 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Coo n Rapids, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway for about 33.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.1 mi from Coo n Rapids, IA
· 46m into the drive
The midpoint is around 33.1 miles from Coo n Rapids, 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.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Chowrastha Indian Grill & Eatery - Indian Restaurant
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
West Des Moines, Iowa
Near the end, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
$10 to $20
mile 61.4
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.33 one way
$20.67 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg23 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$11.35
$22.69
premium
$4.89
$12.72
$25.44
diesel
$5.61
$14.59
$29.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19.8
0
$6.94
$3.17
Efficient EV
16.5
0
$5.78
$2.64
EV Truck/SUV
26.4
0
$9.25
$4.23
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Coo n Rapids, IA
Morning
in Coo n Rapids on Saturday
Local time
7:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
West Des Moines, IA
Morning
in West Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
7:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Madrid, IA
33 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
22 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
1h 30m 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 Coo n Rapids, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 66.1 miles and takes about 1h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are George P. Soumas Memorial Highway, Northwest Granger Drive, I 80. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33.1 miles from Coo n Rapids, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.33 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 66.1 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 56.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.6 miles (I 80; I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.9 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Coo n Rapids, IA and West Des Moines, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs and Des Moines.
