Origin
Remsen, IA
Night in Remsen on Thursday
Local time
11:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Remsen, IA to West Des Moines, IA
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
3h 20m
Distance
196 mi
315 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 8m
★
6 AM
3h 20m
8 AM
3h 45m
10 AM
3h 29m
12 PM
3h 26m
3 PM
3h 30m
5 PM
3h 43m
8 PM
3h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Remsen, IA
cottonbro studio
West Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Remsen, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 196 miles and takes about 3h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Highway 3, Highway 140, 320th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.64 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
98 miles from Remsen, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 196 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 20m drive with frequent turns across 196 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 3 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.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Remsen, IA to West Des Moines, IA is easy. At 3h 20m 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 Remsen, IA to West Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 3 | — | — |
| Highway 140 | — | — |
| 320th Street | — | — |
| Shamrock Avenue | — | — |
| Lee Avenue | — | — |
| Highway 20 | — | — |
| 220th Street | — | — |
| US 169 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Highway 3
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Remsen, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on South Washington Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Washington Street
2
At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 3
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 3
3
Turn right onto State Highway 140
15 mi
·
20 min
·
State Highway 140
4
Turn left onto 320th Street
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
320th Street
5
Turn right onto Shamrock Avenue
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Shamrock Avenue
6
Continue on Lee Avenue
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Lee Avenue
7
Turn left onto Highway 20
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Highway 20
8
Continue on United States Highway 20
8.3 mi
·
10 min
·
United States Highway 20
9
Continue on 220th Street
62 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
220th Street
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 169
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
US 169
11
Turn right onto Lainson Avenue
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Lainson Avenue
12
Turn left onto 360th Street
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
360th Street
13
Turn right onto Paragon Avenue
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Paragon Avenue
14
Continue on D Avenue
12 mi
·
17 min
·
D Avenue
15
Turn left onto 220th Street
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
220th Street
16
Turn right onto G Avenue
9.7 mi
·
13 min
·
G Avenue
17
Turn left onto 320th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
320th Street
18
Turn right onto H Avenue
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
H Avenue
19
Continue on N Avenue
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
N Avenue
20
Take the exit left toward IA 141 east: Urbandale
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
IA 141 east: Urbandale
21
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Northwest Granger Drive
22
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest 114th Street
23
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Grimes Boulevard
24
Continue on Grimes Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
Grimes Boulevard
25
Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast Grimes Boulevard
26
Take the exit slight right toward I-35 south, I-80 west: Kansas City, Council Bluffs
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I-35 south, I-80 west: Kansas City, Council Bluffs
27
Merge slight left
3.3 mi
·
3 min
28
Keep slight left
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
29
Take the exit slight right toward I 235 East: West Des Moines, Des Moines
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
I 235 East: West Des Moines, Des Moines
30
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
31
Take the exit slight right toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
32
Turn right onto 8th Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
8th Street
33
Turn left onto Vine Street
469 ft
·
13 sec
·
Vine Street
34
Arrive at your destination
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 98 miles from Remsen, IA, or about 1h 40m 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 43 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 44m
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 Remsen, 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 Remsen, IA
This is one driving day of about 196 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Remsen, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 98 mi from Remsen, IA · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
98 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 98 miles from Remsen, 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
$30.64 one way
$61.28 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $33.64 | $67.29 |
| premium | $4.89 | $37.72 | $75.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.27 | $86.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.8 | 0 | $20.58 | $9.41 |
| Efficient EV | 49 | 0 | $17.15 | $7.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.4 | 0 | $27.44 | $12.54 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Night in West Des Moines on Thursday
Local time
11:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Centerville, IA
98 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 20m 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 Remsen, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 196 miles and takes about 3h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 3, Highway 140, 320th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 98 miles from Remsen, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.64 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.
The drive from Remsen, IA to West Des Moines, IA is easy. At 3h 20m 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 Remsen, IA to West Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Remsen, IA to West Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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