Origin
Hawarden, IA
Late night in Hawarden on Wednesday
Local time
5:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hawarden, IA to West Des Moines, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 29m
Distance
234 mi
377 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 16m
★
6 AM
4h 30m
8 AM
4h 56m
10 AM
4h 39m
12 PM
4h 36m
3 PM
4h 40m
5 PM
4h 55m
8 PM
4h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hawarden, IA
Abhishek Navlakha
West Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Hawarden, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 234 miles and takes about 4h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 80, I 29, K18N for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 94.9 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.58 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
117 miles from Hawarden, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 4h 29m highway drive covering 234 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and I 29. The longest continuous stretch is about 94.9 miles on I 80.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 94.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 29. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 34.9 miles in near IA 12 / Riverside Boulevard.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 234 miles you will encounter 13 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 34.9 miles (IA 12 / Riverside Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 37 miles: Navigation decision point; at 133.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
34.9 mi into trip
|
~49m in
|
IA 12 / Riverside Boulevard
Turn right onto IA 12 / Riverside Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
37 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Take the ramp toward I 29 South
Navigation decision point
Toward I 29 South
8
133.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 16A
Toward I 80 East: Des Moines
8
229.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 22m in
|
I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway toward I 235 East: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123A
Toward I 235 East: Des Moines
8
232.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 94.9 mi | 1h 41m |
| I 29 | 79.4 mi | 1h 25m |
| K18N | 19.9 mi | 27m |
| I 880 | 16 mi | 17m |
| Buchanan Avenue | 6 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 12 | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Sioux River Road | 2.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 94.9 mi, about 1h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hawarden, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on Central Avenue
344 ft
·
17 sec
·
Central Avenue
2
Turn right onto IA 10
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
10th Street
3
Turn right onto CR K18
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Buchanan Avenue
4
Continue on CR K18
20 mi
·
27 min
·
K18N
5
At end of road, turn left onto IA 12; CR K18
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 12
6
Continue on IA 12
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Sioux River Road
7
Turn right onto IA 12
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Riverside Boulevard
Use the right lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 29 South
9
Merge onto I 29
79 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
I 29
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 71
Toward I 880 East: Des Moines
11
Continue on I 880
16 mi
·
17 min
·
I 880
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 16A
Toward I 80 East: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 80
95 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
·
I 80
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 235
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
Exit 123A
Toward I 235 East: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 3
Toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto 8th Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
8th Street
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto Vine Street
468 ft
·
12 sec
·
Vine Street
18
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 117 miles from Hawarden, IA, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.9 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 80 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117 miles or 2h 21m 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 42m
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 Hawarden, 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 Hawarden, IA
This is one driving day of about 234 miles and 4h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hawarden, 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 I 80 for about 94.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 117 mi from Hawarden, IA · 2h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
117 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 117 miles from Hawarden, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.9 miles.
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
$36.58 one way
$73.17 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $40.17 | $80.33 |
| premium | $4.89 | $45.03 | $90.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.66 | $103.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.2 | 0 | $24.57 | $11.23 |
| Efficient EV | 58.5 | 0 | $20.47 | $9.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93.6 | 1 | $32.76 | $14.98 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
5:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°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
33 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
4h 29m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Hawarden, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 234 miles and takes about 4h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, I 29, K18N. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 117 miles from Hawarden, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.58 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 234 miles you will encounter 13 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 34.9 miles (IA 12 / Riverside Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 37 miles: Navigation decision point; at 133.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Hawarden, IA to West Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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