Origin
Fairfield, IA
Late night in Fairfield on Wednesday
Local time
5:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairfield, IA to West Des Moines, IA
Data updated 1 second ago
Drive Time
2h 22m
Distance
118.1 mi
190 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 13m
★
6 AM
2h 22m
8 AM
2h 42m
10 AM
2h 29m
12 PM
2h 27m
3 PM
2h 30m
5 PM
2h 41m
8 PM
2h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairfield, IA
Daniel Dorfer
West Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Fairfield, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 118.1 miles and takes about 2h 22m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 34, A Avenue West, State Highway 5 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 32.5 miles on US 34. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.46 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
59 miles from Fairfield, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 2h 22m highway drive covering 118.1 miles, with most of the trip on US 34 and A Avenue West. The longest continuous stretch is about 32.5 miles on US 34.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 34 is the longest continuous segment at about 32.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 34 and A Avenue West. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near IA 1 / North 2nd Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 22m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (IA 1 / North 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 34 Business / West Burlington Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.1 miles (US 34 Business): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IA 1 / North 2nd Street
Turn left onto IA 1 / North 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 34 Business / West Burlington Avenue
Turn right onto US 34 Business / West Burlington Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
3.1 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 34 Business
Take the ramp onto US 34 Business toward US 34, IA 163 West: Ottumwa
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 34, IA 163 West: Ottumwa
5
52.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward IA 92: Oskaloosa, Knoxville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 92: Oskaloosa, Knoxville
8
112.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward IA 28: Norwalk, Martensdale
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 99
Toward IA 28: Norwalk, Martensdale
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fairfield, IA to West Des Moines, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Knoxville along the way.
Knoxville
52.7 mi in
|
~1h 3m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 34 | 32.5 mi | 37m |
| A Avenue West | 32.4 mi | 36m |
| State Highway 5 | 19.2 mi | 22m |
| US 63 | 16.7 mi | 19m |
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | 7.5 mi | 8m |
| IA 28 | 4.7 mi | 7m |
| West Burlington Avenue | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Old US 34 | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 34
— 32.5 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on East Briggs Avenue
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
East Briggs Avenue
2
Turn left onto IA 1
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
North 2nd Street
3
Turn right onto US 34 Business
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Burlington Avenue
4
Continue on US 34 Business
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Old US 34
5
Take the ramp onto US 34 Business
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
US 34 Business
Toward US 34, IA 163 West: Ottumwa
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto US 34; IA 163
32 mi
·
37 min
·
US 34; IA 163
7
Continue on US 63; IA 163
17 mi
·
19 min
·
US 63; IA 163
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward IA 92: Oskaloosa, Knoxville
9
Turn left onto IA 92
32 mi
·
36 min
·
A Avenue West
10
Turn right
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
11
Continue on IA 5
19 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 5
12
Merge onto US 65; IA 5
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 99
Toward IA 28: Norwalk, Martensdale
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto IA 28
4.7 mi
·
7 min
·
IA 28
15
Turn left onto Vine Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Vine Street
16
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 59 miles from Fairfield, IA, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.5 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59 miles or 1h 11m 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 54m
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 Fairfield, 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 Fairfield, IA
This is one driving day of about 118.1 miles and 2h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fairfield, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 34 for about 32.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59 mi from Fairfield, IA · 1h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59 miles from Fairfield, 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
$18.46 one way
$36.93 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.27 | $40.54 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.73 | $45.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.07 | $52.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.4 | 0 | $12.40 | $5.67 |
| Efficient EV | 29.5 | 0 | $10.33 | $4.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.2 | 0 | $16.53 | $7.56 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Late night in West Des Moines on Wednesday
Local time
5:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Indiana, IA
59 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
7 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
2h 22m 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 Fairfield, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 118.1 miles and takes about 2h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 34, A Avenue West, State Highway 5. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59 miles from Fairfield, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.46 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 is a straightforward 2h 22m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (IA 1 / North 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 34 Business / West Burlington Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.1 miles (US 34 Business): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Fairfield, IA to West Des Moines, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Knoxville along the way.
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