Trip from Eagle Grove, IA to West Des Moines, IA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 1m

Distance

99.6 mi

160 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

4 AM

1h 53m ★

6 AM

2h 1m

8 AM

2h 19m

10 AM

2h 8m

12 PM

2h 6m

3 PM

2h 8m

5 PM

2h 18m

8 PM

1h 56m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Eagle Grove to West Des Moines, you are looking at a straightforward 99.6-mile trek across the heart of the Iowa Midwest. Expect to spend approximately 2 hours and 1 minute behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day journey. With a modest fuel budget of around $15, the trip is as economical as it is efficient. Since the drive is quite short, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay; you can comfortably complete the commute in one sitting. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, ensuring a predictable transit between these two Midwestern points.

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

49.8 miles from Eagle Grove, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .

Drive Character

This highway-focused drive is built for speed and efficiency rather than leisurely exploration, with a massive 87% of your time spent on high-speed roads. Your journey will take you along US 20, I-35, and the John MacVicar Freeway, providing a consistent driving experience. Be prepared for a sustained pace, as you will tackle a longest uninterrupted stretch of 54.5 miles on I-35. Because the vast majority of the mileage is highway-based, the road feels purposeful and direct, keeping you moving steadily toward your destination. You will find that the transitions between these major arteries are seamless, allowing for a focused experience behind the wheel.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

South Commercial Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,208 ft 817 ft

Total Climb

537 ft

Total Descent

827 ft

Highest Point

1,208 ft

~29.3 mi in

Elevation Range

391 ft

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 Eagle Grove, IA to West Des Moines, IA is easy. At 2h 1m 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 Eagle Grove, IA to West Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
South Commercial Avenue	—	—
Highway 17	—	—
Stagecoach Road	—	—
220th Street	—	—
US 20 East	—	—
I 35 South	—	—
I 235 West	—	—
John MacVicar Freeway	—	—

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: South Commercial Avenue — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Eagle Grove, IA and West Des Moines, IA.

1

Start on West Broadway Street

30 ft · 9 sec · West Broadway Street

2

Turn left onto South Commercial Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Commercial Avenue

3

Continue on State Highway 17

6.7 mi · 9 min · State Highway 17

4

Continue on Stagecoach Road

5.9 mi · 8 min · Stagecoach Road

5

At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street

0.4 mi · 37 sec · 220th Street

6

Turn right onto Stagecoach Road

1.7 mi · 2 min · Stagecoach Road

7

Take the ramp left toward US 20 East

0.4 mi · 48 sec · US 20 East

8

Merge slight left

16 mi · 18 min

9

Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Des Moines

0.7 mi · 1 min · I 35 South: Des Moines

10

Merge slight left

54 mi · 59 min

11

Keep slight left to continue on I 235 West: Des Moines

0.9 mi · 1 min · I 235 West: Des Moines

12

Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

9.4 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway

13

Take the exit slight right toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights

0.3 mi · 35 sec · IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights

14

Turn left onto 63rd Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · 63rd Street

15

Turn right onto Vine Street

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Vine Street

16

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Because this is a relatively quick trip, you have the advantage of total schedule flexibility. I recommend checking traffic conditions on the John MacVicar Freeway before you depart, as this will likely be the most congested portion of your 2-hour drive. Since you don't have any mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily power through the entire 99.6 miles without needing a break, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always smart. If you are prone to fatigue, keep in mind that the long, steady stretch on I-35 can feel monotonous, so consider a quick stretch at the halfway mark to stay sharp. Planning your departure to avoid peak commuting hours in the West Des Moines area will make the final leg of your journey much smoother.

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 49.8 miles from Eagle Grove, IA, or about 1h 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 22 miles or 26m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 49.8 miles or 1h 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 39m

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 Eagle Grove, 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 Eagle Grove, IA

This is one driving day of about 99.6 miles and 2h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Eagle Grove, 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 49.8 mi from Eagle Grove, IA · 1h into the drive

city in Story County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ames, IA

50 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

Webster City, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ames, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 49.8 miles from Eagle Grove, 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

$15.57 one way

$31.14 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$17.10	$34.19
premium	$4.89	$19.17	$38.33
diesel	$5.61	$21.99	$43.98

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	29.9	$10.46	$4.78
Efficient EV	24.9	$8.71	$3.98
EV Truck/SUV	39.8	$13.94	$6.37

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (66% 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 11, 2026

Origin

Eagle Grove, IA

Late night in Eagle Grove on Thursday

Local time

1:34 AM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

SE 17 mph 59% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:19AM CDT until April 16 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:19AM CDT until April 17 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

West Des Moines, IA

Late night in West Des Moines on Thursday

Local time

1:34 AM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

SE 14 mph 56% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:19AM CDT until April 16 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:19AM CDT until April 17 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

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

6 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 1m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Eagle Grove, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 99.6 miles and takes about 2h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are South Commercial Avenue, Highway 17, Stagecoach Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 49.8 miles from Eagle Grove, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.57 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 Eagle Grove, IA to West Des Moines, IA is easy. At 2h 1m 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 Eagle Grove, IA to West Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

The route from Eagle Grove, IA to West Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 817 ft to 1,208 ft elevation with about 537 ft of total climbing.

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Return Trip

West Des Moines, IA to Eagle Grove, IA

Plan the drive back the other way.

99.7 mi 2h 1m

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Trip from Eagle Grove, IA to West Des Moines, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in West Des Moines, IA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Eagle Grove, IA

West Des Moines, IA

Same local time

6 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 1m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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