Origin
West Des Moines, IA
Afternoon in West Des Moines on Wednesday
Local time
2:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Des Moines, IA to Alta, IA
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
3h 16m
Distance
151.3 mi
243 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 5m
★
6 AM
3h 17m
8 AM
3h 40m
10 AM
3h 25m
12 PM
3h 23m
3 PM
3h 26m
5 PM
3h 39m
8 PM
3h 9m
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
Alta, IA
Tara Winstead
Trip Overview
The drive from West Des Moines, IA to Alta, IA covers 151.3 miles and takes about 3h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 20, Northwest Granger Drive, Lainson Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 53.8 miles on US 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.65 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
75.6 miles from West Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from West Des Moines, IA to Alta, IA covers 151.3 miles and takes about 3h 16m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 53.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 151.3 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 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles (Ramp 72 E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I-235 west
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-235 west
8
4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
Ramp 72 E
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 E toward I 35 North, I 80 East: Minneapolis, Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 123B
Toward I 35 North, I 80 East: Minneapolis, Chic...
7
4.5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80 toward I-35 north, I-80 east: Chicago, Minneapolis
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-35 north, I-80 east: Chicago, Minneapo...
7
7.9 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the exit toward IA 141 West: Grimes
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 127B
Toward IA 141 West: Grimes
6
48.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
US 169 / D Avenue
Turn right onto US 169 / D Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from West Des Moines, IA to Alta, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Adel along the way.
Adel
30.2 mi in
|
~39m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 53.8 mi | 1h 2m |
| Northwest Granger Drive | 15.6 mi | 18m |
| Lainson Avenue | 12.3 mi | 16m |
| D Avenue | 12.1 mi | 16m |
| H Avenue | 11.6 mi | 16m |
| Gard Avenue | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| 220th Street | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| 360th Street | 4 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 53.8 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines, IA and Alta, IA.
1
Start on Vine Street
468 ft
·
14 sec
·
Vine Street
2
Turn right onto 8th Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
8th Street
3
Continue on 73rd Street
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
73rd Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I-235 west
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 235
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
6
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 E
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
Ramp 72 E
Exit 123B
Toward I 35 North, I 80 East: Minneapolis, Chicago
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 80
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
I 80
Toward I-35 north, I-80 east: Chicago, Minneapolis
Use the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 127B
Toward IA 141 West: Grimes
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto IA 141
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast Grimes Boulevard
10
Continue on IA 141
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Grimes Boulevard
11
Continue on IA 141
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest 114th Street
12
Continue on IA 141
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Northwest Granger Drive
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward US 169: Ogden, Adel
14
Turn right onto US 169
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
N Avenue
15
Continue on US 169
12 mi
·
16 min
·
H Avenue
16
Take the exit onto US 169
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
US 169
17
Merge onto US 30; US 169
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
220th Street
18
Turn right onto US 169
12 mi
·
16 min
·
D Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on US 169
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Paragon Avenue
20
Turn left onto US 169
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
360th Street
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto US 169
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Lainson Avenue
22
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Toward US 20 West
23
Merge onto US 20
54 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
US 20
24
Turn right onto CR M43
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Gard Avenue
25
Continue on CR M43
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
90th Avenue
26
At end of road, turn left onto CR C65
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
630th Street
27
Turn right onto 85th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
85th Avenue
28
Continue on IA 110
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 110
29
Continue on IA 110
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
State Highway 110
30
Continue on IA 110
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
90th Avenue
31
Turn left onto IA 7
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway 7
32
Turn right onto 60th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
60th Avenue
33
Arrive at destination
60th Avenue
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 75.6 miles from West Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.8 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 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.6 miles or 1h 43m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alta, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving West Des Moines, 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 Des Moines, IA
This is one driving day of about 151.3 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from West Des Moines, 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 20 for about 53.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.6 mi from West Des Moines, IA · 1h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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
Arriving in Alta, IA
The final approach into Alta, 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 Alta, 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
$23.65 one way
$47.31 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $25.97 | $51.94 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.12 | $58.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.41 | $66.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.4 | 0 | $15.89 | $7.26 |
| Efficient EV | 37.8 | 0 | $13.24 | $6.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.5 | 0 | $21.18 | $9.68 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Alta, IA
Afternoon in Alta on Wednesday
Local time
2:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4 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 16m 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 West Des Moines, IA to Alta, IA covers 151.3 miles and takes about 3h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 20, Northwest Granger Drive, Lainson Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 75.6 miles from West Des Moines, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.65 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 151.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles (Ramp 72 E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from West Des Moines, IA to Alta, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Adel along the way.
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