Trip from West Burlington, IA to West Des Moines, IA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

3h 22m

Distance

169.6 mi

273 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 10m ★

6 AM

3h 22m

8 AM

3h 46m

10 AM

3h 31m

12 PM

3h 28m

3 PM

3h 32m

5 PM

3h 45m

8 PM

3h 15m

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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city in Polk, Dallas, Warren, and Madison counties, Iowa, United States

West Des Moines, IA

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Trip Overview

The drive from West Burlington, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 169.6 miles and takes about 3h 22m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 34, A Avenue West, State Highway 5 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 83.9 miles on US 34. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.52 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

84.8 miles from West Burlington, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 3h 22m highway drive covering 169.6 miles, with most of the trip on US 34 and A Avenue West. The longest continuous stretch is about 83.9 miles on US 34.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 34 is the longest continuous segment at about 83.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 34 and A Avenue West. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Broadway Street.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 169.6 miles you will encounter 14 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 (Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 23.9 miles (US 34; IA 163): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.5 miles (US 34; IA 163): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Broadway Street

Turn right onto Broadway Street

Navigation decision point

23.9 mi into trip | ~29m in | US 34; IA 163

Take the exit onto US 34; IA 163 toward US 218, IA 27 North: Iowa City, Fairfield

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 218, IA 27 North: Iowa City, Fairfiel...

26.5 mi into trip | ~33m in | US 34; IA 163

Keep slight right at fork onto US 34; IA 163

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 45

104.3 mi into trip | ~2h 3m in

Take the exit toward IA 92: Oskaloosa, Knoxville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward IA 92: Oskaloosa, Knoxville

163.9 mi into trip | ~3h 12m in

Take the exit toward IA 28: Norwalk, Martensdale

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 99 Toward IA 28: Norwalk, Martensdale

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between West Burlington, IA and West Des Moines, IA, road signs point toward Fairfield and Knoxville.

Fairfield

23.9 mi in | ~29m | via US 34; IA 163

Knoxville

104.3 mi in | ~2h 3m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 34	83.9 mi	1h 37m
A Avenue West	32.4 mi	36m
State Highway 5	19.2 mi	22m
US 63	16.7 mi	19m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway	7.5 mi	8m
IA 28	4.7 mi	7m
Avenue of the Saints	1.8 mi	2m
West Mount Pleasant Street	1.6 mi	3m

Longest stretch: US 34 — 83.9 mi, about 1h 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on East Wheeler Street

22 ft · 3 sec · East Wheeler Street

Turn right onto Broadway Street

365 ft · 19 sec · Broadway Street

Turn left onto West Mount Pleasant Street

1.6 mi · 3 min · West Mount Pleasant Street

Turn left

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Merge onto US 34; IA 163

22 mi · 25 min · US 34; IA 163

Take the exit onto US 34; IA 163

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 34; IA 163

Toward US 218, IA 27 North: Iowa City, Fairfield

Merge onto US 34; US 218; IA 27; IA 163

1.8 mi · 2 min · Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight right at fork onto US 34; IA 163

61 mi · 1 hr 10 min · US 34; IA 163

Exit 45

Continue on US 63; IA 163

17 mi · 19 min · US 63; IA 163

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min

Toward IA 92: Oskaloosa, Knoxville

Turn left onto IA 92

32 mi · 36 min · A Avenue West

Turn right

0.1 mi · 7 sec

Continue on IA 5

19 mi · 22 min · State Highway 5

Merge onto US 65; IA 5

7.5 mi · 8 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 99 Toward IA 28: Norwalk, Martensdale Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto IA 28

4.7 mi · 7 min · IA 28

Turn left onto Vine Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Vine Street

Arrive at destination

Vine Street

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 84.8 miles from West Burlington, IA, or about 1h 41m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.9 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 84.8 miles or 1h 41m 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 43m

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 West Burlington, 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 West Burlington, IA

This is one driving day of about 169.6 miles and 3h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from West Burlington, 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.

The longest stretch is on US 34 for about 83.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 84.8 mi from West Burlington, IA · 1h 41m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Indiana, IA

85 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

Indiana, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Indiana, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 84.8 miles from West Burlington, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 34 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.9 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.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.52 one way

$53.03 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$29.11	$58.22
premium	$4.89	$32.64	$65.28
diesel	$5.61	$37.45	$74.89

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 59.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	50.9	$17.81	$8.14
Efficient EV	42.4	$14.84	$6.78
EV Truck/SUV	67.8	$23.74	$10.85

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

West Burlington, IA

Morning in West Burlington on Wednesday

Local time

7:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 15 mph 18% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:22AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:22AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

West Des Moines, IA

Morning in West Des Moines on Wednesday

Local time

7:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

71°F

Indiana, IA

85 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

36 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

3h 22m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from West Burlington, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 169.6 miles and takes about 3h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 34, A Avenue West, State Highway 5. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 84.8 miles from West Burlington, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.52 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.

Between West Burlington, IA and West Des Moines, IA, road signs point toward Fairfield and Knoxville.

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