Origin
Epworth, IA
Afternoon in Epworth on Friday
Local time
1:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Epworth, IA to West Des Moines, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 51m
Distance
186.4 mi
300 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 39m
★
6 AM
3h 52m
8 AM
4h 17m
10 AM
4h 1m
12 PM
3h 58m
3 PM
4h 2m
5 PM
4h 16m
8 PM
3h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Epworth, IA
Wikimedia Commons
West Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Epworth, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 186.4 miles and takes about 3h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 151, Lincoln Highway, Marshalltown Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 39.9 miles on US 151. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.14 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
93.2 miles from Epworth, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 51m. Total distance: 186.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
The drive from Epworth, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 186.4 miles and takes about 3h 51m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 151 is the longest continuous segment at about 39.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 186.4 miles you will encounter 18 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 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 170.2 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp toward US 20 West, US 52 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 20 West, US 52 North
5
3.8 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the exit toward CR Y13: Farley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 300
Toward CR Y13: Farley
7
170.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 28m in
|
US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
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 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
7
174.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 34m in
Take the exit toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 137A
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
8
184.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 47m in
Take the exit toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights
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.
Exit 4
Toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Epworth, IA and West Des Moines, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown and Des Moines.
Marshalltown
70.7 mi in
|
~1h 32m
Des Moines
135.5 mi in
|
~2h 47m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 151 | 39.9 mi | 46m |
| Lincoln Highway | 37.3 mi | 43m |
| Marshalltown Boulevard | 33.7 mi | 39m |
| 73rd Street | 24.4 mi | 28m |
| IA 100 | 15.2 mi | 18m |
| Farley Road | 10.4 mi | 18m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| US 65 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
US 151
— 39.9 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Epworth, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on Center Avenue South
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
Center Avenue South
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 20 West, US 52 North
3
Merge onto US 20; US 52
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
US 20; US 52
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 300
Toward CR Y13: Farley
5
Turn left onto 1st Street Southwest
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
1st Street Southwest
6
Turn right onto Olde Farley Road
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Olde Farley Road
7
Turn left onto CR Y13
10 mi
·
18 min
·
Farley Road
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
9
Merge onto US 151
39 mi
·
44 min
·
US 151
10
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 151; IA 13
11
Turn right onto IA 100
15 mi
·
18 min
·
IA 100
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
13
Merge onto US 30; US 218
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Avenue Southwest
14
Continue on US 30; US 218
24 mi
·
28 min
·
73rd Street
15
Continue on US 30
37 mi
·
43 min
·
Lincoln Highway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
17
Turn left onto IA 330
34 mi
·
39 min
·
Marshalltown Boulevard
18
Continue on US 65; IA 330
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
19
Take the exit onto US 65
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
US 65
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 137A
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Use the slight left lane.
21
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
9.4 mi
·
12 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 4
Toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn left onto IA 28
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
63rd Street
24
Turn right onto Vine Street
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Vine Street
25
Arrive at destination
Vine Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 93.2 miles from Epworth, IA, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.9 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 41 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.2 miles or 1h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 8m
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 Epworth, 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 Epworth, IA
This is one driving day of about 186.4 miles and 3h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Epworth, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 151 for about 39.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 93.2 mi from Epworth, IA · 1h 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 93.2 miles from Epworth, 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
$29.14 one way
$58.28 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.00 | $63.99 |
| premium | $4.89 | $35.87 | $71.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.15 | $82.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.9 | 0 | $19.57 | $8.95 |
| Efficient EV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.31 | $7.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.6 | 0 | $26.10 | $11.93 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
West Des Moines, IA
Afternoon in West Des Moines on Friday
Local time
1:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Vinton, IA
93 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
3 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
3h 51m 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 Epworth, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 186.4 miles and takes about 3h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 151, Lincoln Highway, Marshalltown Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 93.2 miles from Epworth, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.14 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 186.4 miles you will encounter 18 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 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 170.2 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Epworth, IA and West Des Moines, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown and Des Moines.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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