Drive Time
4h 43m
Distance
214.7 mi
345 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
Photo: Daniel Dorfer
The drive from Sheldon, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 214.7 miles and takes about 4h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 220th Street, US 169, Northwest Granger Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 64.6 miles on 220th Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.61 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
107.3 miles from Sheldon, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 43m drive with frequent turns across 214.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
325 ft
Total Descent
924 ft
Highest Point
1,466 ft
~26.8 mi in
Elevation Range
641 ft
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.9 miles in near L22 / Log Avenue.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 214.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.9 miles (L22 / Log Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.5 miles (IA 143 / Nettle Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 205.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto L22 / Log Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto IA 143 / Nettle Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I-35 south, I-80 west: Kansas City, Council Bluffs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 I toward I 235 East: West Des Moines, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 220th Street | 64.6 mi | 1h 15m |
| US 169 | 16.6 mi | 23m |
| Northwest Granger Drive | 15.6 mi | 18m |
| Lainson Avenue | 12.2 mi | 16m |
| H Avenue | 11.4 mi | 15m |
| 20th Avenue | 9.2 mi | 12m |
| State Highway 3 | 8.6 mi | 11m |
| IA 60 Business | 7.5 mi | 9m |
Step-by-step road directions between Sheldon, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
Start on 9th Street
Turn left onto IA 60 Business
Take the ramp onto IA 60 Business
Turn left onto L22
Turn left onto IA 10
Continue on IA 10
Continue on IA 10
Turn right onto IA 143
Continue on IA 143
Continue on IA 143
Turn left onto IA 3
Continue on IA 3
Continue on IA 3
Turn straight onto IA 3
Turn left onto IA 3
Turn right onto IA 7
Continue on IA 7
Continue on IA 7
Continue on IA 7
Turn right onto 20th Avenue
Continue on CR M27
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 169
Turn left onto US 169
Take the exit onto US 169
Turn left onto US 30; US 169
Take the exit onto US 169
Turn right onto US 169
Continue on US 169
Take the exit
Continue on IA 141
Continue on IA 141
Continue on IA 141
Continue on IA 141
Continue on IA 141
Take the exit
Merge onto I 80; I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 I
Merge onto I 235
Take the exit
Turn right onto 8th Street
Turn left onto Vine Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.3 miles or 2h 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 3h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Des Moines, IA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Sheldon, 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 Sheldon, IA
This is one driving day of about 214.7 miles and 4h 43m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 107.3 mi from Sheldon, IA · 2h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 107.3 miles from Sheldon, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before 220th Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.6 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$32.61 one way
$65.22 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $35.95 | $71.90 |
| premium | $4.80 | $40.53 | $81.06 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $47.70 | $95.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.54 | $10.31 |
| Efficient EV | 53.7 | 0 | $18.79 | $8.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.9 | 1 | $30.06 | $13.74 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Sheldon on Sunday
Local time
7:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in West Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
7:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
47°F
Denison, IA
107 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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