Origin
University Heights, IA
Night in University Heights on Wednesday
Local time
9:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from University Heights, IA to West Des Moines, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 1m
Distance
119.7 mi
193 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 53m
★
6 AM
2h 1m
8 AM
2h 19m
10 AM
2h 7m
12 PM
2h 6m
3 PM
2h 8m
5 PM
2h 18m
8 PM
1h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from University Heights, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 119.7 miles and takes about 2h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Sunset Street, Melrose Avenue, Avenue of the Saints for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.71 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
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
59.9 miles from University Heights, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 1m drive with frequent turns across 119.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Sunset 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 University Heights, IA to West Des Moines, IA is easy. At 2h 1m 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 University Heights, IA to West Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Sunset Street | — | — |
| Melrose Avenue | — | — |
| Avenue of the Saints | — | — |
| I 80 | — | — |
| I 80 West | — | — |
| I 235 West | — | — |
| John MacVicar Freeway | — | — |
| IA 28 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Sunset Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between University Heights, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on Koser Avenue
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
Koser Avenue
2
Turn right onto Sunset Street
259 ft
·
18 sec
·
Sunset Street
3
Turn left onto Melrose Avenue
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Melrose Avenue
4
Take the ramp right
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
5
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 80
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
I 80
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Des Moines
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 80 West: Des Moines
8
Merge slight left
101 mi
·
1 hr 48 min
9
Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 235 West: Des Moines
10
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
9.4 mi
·
12 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
11
Take the exit slight right toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights
12
Turn left onto 63rd Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
63rd Street
13
Turn right onto Vine Street
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Vine Street
14
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 59.9 miles from University Heights, IA, or about 1h 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 26 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.9 miles or 1h 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 39m
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 University Heights, 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 University Heights, IA
This is one driving day of about 119.7 miles and 2h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from University Heights, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.9 mi from University Heights, IA · 1h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.9 miles from University Heights, 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
$18.71 one way
$37.43 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.55 | $41.09 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.04 | $46.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.43 | $52.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.9 | 0 | $12.57 | $5.75 |
| Efficient EV | 29.9 | 0 | $10.47 | $4.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.9 | 0 | $16.76 | $7.66 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 Wednesday
Local time
9:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Brooklyn, IA
60 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
2 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
2h 1m 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 University Heights, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 119.7 miles and takes about 2h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Sunset Street, Melrose Avenue, Avenue of the Saints. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.9 miles from University Heights, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.71 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 University Heights, IA to West Des Moines, IA is easy. At 2h 1m 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 University Heights, IA to West Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from University Heights, IA to West Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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