Origin
Denver, IA
Late night in Denver on Saturday
Local time
4:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Denver, IA to West Des Moines, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 18m
Distance
132.2 mi
213 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 9m
★
6 AM
2h 19m
8 AM
2h 38m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 23m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 37m
8 PM
2h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Denver, IA
Wikimedia Commons
West Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Denver, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 132.2 miles and takes about 2h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on State Street, Larrabee Avenue, Logan Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.63 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
66.1 miles from Denver, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 132.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 18m drive with frequent turns across 132.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State 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.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Denver, IA to West Des Moines, IA is easy. At 2h 18m 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 Denver, IA to West Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Street | — | — |
| Larrabee Avenue | — | — |
| Logan Avenue | — | — |
| West Airline Highway | — | — |
| Airport Boulevard | — | — |
| US 218 north | — | — |
| Leo P Rooff Expressway | — | — |
| IA 27 South | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
State Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denver, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on West Fayette Street
39 ft
·
3 sec
·
West Fayette Street
2
Turn right onto State Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Larrabee Avenue
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Larrabee Avenue
4
Continue on Logan Avenue
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Logan Avenue
5
Turn right onto West Airline Highway
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
West Airline Highway
6
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Airport Boulevard
7
Take the ramp right toward US 218 north
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 218 north
8
Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
Leo P Rooff Expressway
9
Take the exit slight right
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
10
Keep slight left to continue on IA 27 South, IA 58 South: Hudson, UNI
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
IA 27 South, IA 58 South: Hudson, UNI
11
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
12
Take the exit slight right toward University Avenue
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
University Avenue
13
Keep slight right
335 ft
·
8 sec
14
Turn straight onto University Avenue
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
University Avenue
15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward University Avenue
125 ft
·
3 sec
·
University Avenue
16
Exit the roundabout onto University Avenue
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
University Avenue
17
Continue on Grundy Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Grundy Road
18
Take the ramp right
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
19
Merge slight left
11 mi
·
13 min
20
Take the exit slight right toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
21
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
N Avenue
22
Turn right onto 210th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
210th Street
23
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road T37
24
Continue on M Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
M Avenue
25
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
240th Street
26
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
16 mi
·
21 min
·
Sanford Avenue
27
Turn right onto 160th Street
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
160th Street
28
Keep slight left to continue on North Main Street
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
29
Continue on Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Marsh Avenue
30
Turn right
36 mi
·
42 min
31
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
32
Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 235 West: Des Moines
33
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
9.4 mi
·
12 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
34
Take the exit slight right toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights
35
Turn left onto 63rd Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
63rd Street
36
Turn right onto Vine Street
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Vine Street
37
Arrive at your destination
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 66.1 miles from Denver, IA, or about 1h 9m 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 29 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.1 miles or 1h 9m 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 53m
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 Denver, 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 Denver, IA
This is one driving day of about 132.2 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Denver, 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 66.1 mi from Denver, IA · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66.1 miles from Denver, 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.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.63 one way
$39.25 round trip
$3.77/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $22.14 | $44.27 |
| premium | $4.65 | $24.22 | $48.45 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $27.61 | $55.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.3 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.7 | 0 | $13.88 | $6.35 |
| Efficient EV | 33.1 | 0 | $11.57 | $5.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.9 | 0 | $18.51 | $8.46 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Late night in West Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
4:50 AM
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
5 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
2h 18m 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 Denver, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 132.2 miles and takes about 2h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Street, Larrabee Avenue, Logan Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66.1 miles from Denver, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.63 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 Denver, IA to West Des Moines, IA is easy. At 2h 18m 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 Denver, IA to West Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Denver, IA to West Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From West Des Moines, IA
More from Denver, IA
More trips to West Des Moines, IA
Explore more options from Denver, IA or browse trips ending in West Des Moines, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.