Trip from Roland, IA to West Des Moines, IA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

51m

Distance

51.8 mi

83 km

Drive Score

5/10

Practical drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$8

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 13 min

4 AM

0h 48m ★

6 AM

0h 52m

8 AM

1h 1m

10 AM

0h 55m

12 PM

0h 54m

3 PM

0h 55m

5 PM

1h 0m

8 PM

0h 49m

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 Roland, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 51.8 miles and takes about 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

This route mixes long travel segments with more detailed approach driving, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.10 one way before food or hotel costs.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 51m. Total distance: 51.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a 51m drive with frequent turns across 51.8 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

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.

The drive from Roland, IA to West Des Moines, IA is easy. At 51m 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 Roland, IA to West Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$8.10 one way

$16.20 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 18 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$8.89	$17.78
premium	$4.89	$9.97	$19.94
diesel	$5.61	$11.44	$22.87

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$8

Estimated CO2 emission: 18.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	15.5	$5.44	$2.49
Efficient EV	13	$4.53	$2.07
EV Truck/SUV	20.7	$7.25	$3.32

Gas CO2

18 kg

EV CO2

6 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

Roland, IA

Morning in Roland on Thursday

Local time

11:25 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

West Des Moines, IA

Morning in West Des Moines on Thursday

Local time

11:25 AM

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

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

51m 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 Roland, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 51.8 miles and takes about 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.10 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 Roland, IA to West Des Moines, IA is easy. At 51m 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 Roland, IA to West Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

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

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Explore more options from Roland, IA or browse trips ending in West Des Moines, IA.

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