Origin
Monroe, IA
Night in Monroe on Wednesday
Local time
11:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monroe, IA to West Des Moines, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
42m
Distance
35.8 mi
58 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 39m
★
6 AM
0h 42m
8 AM
0h 49m
10 AM
0h 45m
12 PM
0h 44m
3 PM
0h 45m
5 PM
0h 49m
8 PM
0h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monroe, IA
César O'neill
West Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Monroe, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 35.8 miles and takes about 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Washington Street, Highway 163, I-235 west for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.60 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
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
17.9 miles from Monroe, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 42m drive with frequent turns across 35.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Washington Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
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 Monroe, IA to West Des Moines, IA is easy. At 42m 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 Monroe, IA to West Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Street | — | — |
| Highway 163 | — | — |
| I-235 west | — | — |
| John MacVicar Freeway | — | — |
| IA 28 | — | — |
| 63rd Street | — | — |
| Vine Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Washington Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monroe, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on North Monroe Street
72 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Monroe Street
2
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
Washington Street
3
Turn right onto State Highway 163
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 163
4
Take the ramp right
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
5
Merge slight right
25 mi
·
32 min
6
Take the ramp slight right toward I-235 west
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I-235 west
7
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
8
Take the exit slight right toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights
9
Turn left onto 63rd Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
63rd Street
10
Turn right onto Vine Street
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Vine Street
11
Arrive at your destination
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 17.9 miles from Monroe, IA, or about 21m 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 35.8 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.9 miles or 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Des Moines, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Monroe, IA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Monroe, IA
This is one driving day of about 35.8 miles and 42m.
At 35.8 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.9 mi from Monroe, IA · 21m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 35.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.9 miles from Monroe, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in West Des Moines, IA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into West Des Moines, IA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.60 one way
$11.19 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.15 | $12.29 |
| premium | $4.89 | $6.89 | $13.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.90 | $15.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.7 | 0 | $3.76 | $1.72 |
| Efficient EV | 9 | 0 | $3.13 | $1.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.3 | 0 | $5.01 | $2.29 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Night in West Des Moines on Wednesday
Local time
11:21 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
1 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
42m 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 Monroe, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 35.8 miles and takes about 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Washington Street, Highway 163, I-235 west. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.9 miles from Monroe, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.60 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 Monroe, IA to West Des Moines, IA is easy. At 42m 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 Monroe, IA to West Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Monroe, IA to West Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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