Trip from Riverside, IA to West Des Moines, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 29m

Distance

131.1 mi

211 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min

4 AM

2h 20m ★

6 AM

2h 30m

8 AM

2h 50m

10 AM

2h 37m

12 PM

2h 35m

3 PM

2h 38m

5 PM

2h 49m

8 PM

2h 24m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

The drive from Riverside, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 131.1 miles and takes about 2h 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, Avenue of the Saints, John MacVicar Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 100.6 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.50 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.

Midpoint

65.5 miles from Riverside, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 29m. Total distance: 131.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 29m highway drive covering 131.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and Avenue of the Saints. The longest continuous stretch is about 100.6 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 15 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 100.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Avenue of the Saints. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IA 22 / West 1st Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 131.1 miles you will encounter 10 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 (IA 22 / West 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 17.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 18.7 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | IA 22 / West 1st Street

Turn left onto IA 22 / West 1st Street

Navigation decision point

5

17.5 mi into trip | ~21m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 West: Des Moines

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 80 West: Des Moines

5

18.7 mi into trip | ~24m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

7

119.3 mi into trip | ~2h 12m 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

129.3 mi into trip | ~2h 25m 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

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	100.6 mi	1h 48m
Avenue of the Saints	15.1 mi	17m
John MacVicar Freeway	9.4 mi	12m
63rd Street	1.1 mi	2m
State Highway 22	1 mi	1m
East Hickory Street	0.5 mi	<1m
Vine Street	0.4 mi	<1m
West 1st Street	0.3 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 80 — 100.6 mi, about 1h 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Riverside, IA and West Des Moines, IA.

1

Start on North Washburn Street

107 ft · 9 sec · North Washburn Street

2

Turn left onto IA 22

0.3 mi · 26 sec · West 1st Street

3

Continue on IA 22

0.5 mi · 43 sec · East Hickory Street

4

Continue on IA 22

1.0 mi · 1 min · State Highway 22

5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec

6

Merge onto US 218; IA 27

15 mi · 17 min · Avenue of the Saints

7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Toward I 80

8

Keep slight left at fork

1.1 mi · 2 min

Toward I 80 West: Des Moines

9

Merge onto I 80

101 mi · 1 hr 48 min · I 80

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

10

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 137A Toward I 235 West: Des Moines Use the slight left lane.

11

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.

12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Exit 4 Toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights Use the straight / slight right lanes.

13

Turn left onto IA 28

1.1 mi · 2 min · 63rd Street

14

Turn right onto Vine Street

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Vine Street

15

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 65.5 miles from Riverside, IA, or about 1h 14m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.6 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 29 miles or 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 65.5 miles or 1h 14m 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 59m

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 Riverside, 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 Riverside, IA

This is one driving day of about 131.1 miles and 2h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Riverside, IA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 100.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 65.5 mi from Riverside, IA · 1h 14m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brooklyn, IA

66 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

North Liberty, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brooklyn, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 65.5 miles from Riverside, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.6 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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Landmark Grill & Grind - Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Williamsburg, Iowa

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 37.4

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+13196682209

Visit website

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Des Moines, Iowa

1.4 mi

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Coralville, Iowa

1.7 mi

Landmark Grill & Grind - Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 37.4

Williamsburg, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+13196682209

Visit website

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour Inexpensiv mile 121.7

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+15152622775

Visit website

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 18.7

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13195453131

Visit website

Steak 'n Shake

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 18.7

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+13198006117

Visit website

El Toreado Restaurant Bar & Grill . EP True

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 131.1

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152262182

Visit website

Red Lobster

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 18.7

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13193386400

Visit website

Now Or Later Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 121.7

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15152669777

Visit website

Culver’s

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 18.7

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+13195458255

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 37.4

Williamsburg, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 74.9

Grinnell, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 56.2

Brooklyn, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 18.7

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 9.4

Iowa City, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 18.7

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+31880109500

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 18.7

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargeLab Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 9.4

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+31880109500

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.50 one way

$40.99 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 46 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$22.50	$45.01
premium	$4.89	$25.23	$50.46
diesel	$5.61	$28.95	$57.89

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 45.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	39.3	$13.77	$6.29
Efficient EV	32.8	$11.47	$5.24
EV Truck/SUV	52.4	$18.35	$8.39

Gas CO2

46 kg

EV CO2

15 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Riverside, IA

Morning in Riverside on Saturday

Local time

6:55 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

West Des Moines, IA

Morning in West Des Moines on Saturday

Local time

6:55 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

50°F

Brooklyn, IA

66 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

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

2h 29m 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 Riverside, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 131.1 miles and takes about 2h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 80, Avenue of the Saints, John MacVicar Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 65.5 miles from Riverside, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.50 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 131.1 miles you will encounter 10 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 (IA 22 / West 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 17.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 18.7 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Riverside, IA to West Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Riverside, IA to West Des Moines, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in West Des Moines, IA

Nearby Places

Landmark Grill & Grind - Restaurant

Landmark Grill & Grind - Restaurant

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

Steak 'n Shake

El Toreado Restaurant Bar & Grill . EP True

Red Lobster

Now Or Later Restaurant

Culver’s

Electrify America Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

EV Connect Charging Station

Shell Recharge Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargeLab Charging Station

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Riverside, IA

West Des Moines, IA

Same local time

20 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 29m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Riverside, IA to West Des Moines, IA?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How hard is the drive from Riverside, IA to West Des Moines, IA?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from Riverside, IA to West Des Moines, IA?

How this page is built

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