Origin
Mitchellville, IA
Afternoon in Mitchellville on Thursday
Local time
1:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mitchellville, IA to West Des Moines, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
33m
Distance
24.5 mi
39 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 30m
★
6 AM
0h 33m
8 AM
0h 39m
10 AM
0h 35m
12 PM
0h 35m
3 PM
0h 35m
5 PM
0h 39m
8 PM
0h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mitchellville, IA
Wikimedia Commons
West Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 24.5-mile drive from Mitchellville, IA, to West Des Moines, IA, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 33 minutes. It's a highly efficient route, with 83% of it on highways, making it a quick and practical option for getting between these two Midwest locations. Expect a fuel cost of around $4, so no need to budget extensively for gas. The journey feels focused on straightforward transit rather than leisurely sightseeing, perfect for when you just need to get from point A to point B without fuss.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 33m. Total distance: 24.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Primarily a highway-focused drive, you'll spend most of your 33 minutes on I-80 and the John MacVicar Freeway. This means you can expect consistent speeds and a relatively uninterrupted journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 10.9 miles on I-80, allowing for a good rhythm behind the wheel. While the majority is highway, the transition onto local roads like 63rd Street will eventually guide you to your destination, offering a slight change in pace towards the end.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 10.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and John MacVicar Freeway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR S27 / Center Avenue North.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 24.5 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (CR S27 / Center Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (CR S27 / 6th Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (I 80; US 6): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR S27 / Center Avenue North
Turn right onto CR S27 / Center Avenue North
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR S27 / 6th Street Northwest
At end of road, turn left onto CR S27 / 6th Street Northwest
Navigation decision point
5
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 80; US 6
Merge onto I 80; US 6
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
12.7 mi into trip
|
~15m 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
22.7 mi into trip
|
~29m 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.
On the drive from Mitchellville, IA to West Des Moines, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Windsor Heights along the way.
Windsor Heights
22.7 mi in
|
~29m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 10.9 mi | 12m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| 63rd Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Northeast 112th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 6th Street Northwest | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Vine Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Center Avenue North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 2nd Street Northeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 10.9 mi, about 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mitchellville, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on 2nd Street Northeast
97 ft
·
8 sec
·
2nd Street Northeast
2
Turn right onto CR S27
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Center Avenue North
3
At end of road, turn left onto CR S27
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
6th Street Northwest
4
Turn right onto CR S27
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 112th Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
6
Merge onto I 80; US 6
11 mi
·
12 min
·
I 80; US 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 137A
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Use the slight left lane.
8
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.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 4
Toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn left onto IA 28
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
63rd Street
11
Turn right onto Vine Street
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Vine Street
12
Arrive at destination
Vine Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.83 one way
$7.66 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $4.21 | $8.41 |
| premium | $4.89 | $4.71 | $9.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.41 | $10.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.4 | 0 | $2.57 | $1.18 |
| Efficient EV | 6.1 | 0 | $2.14 | $0.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.8 | 0 | $3.43 | $1.57 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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
Afternoon in West Des Moines on Thursday
Local time
1:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
20 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
33m 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 Mitchellville, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 24.5 miles and takes about 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, John MacVicar Freeway, 63rd Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 12.2 miles from Mitchellville, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.83 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 24.5 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (CR S27 / Center Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (CR S27 / 6th Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (I 80; US 6): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Mitchellville, IA to West Des Moines, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Windsor Heights along the way.
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