Trip from West Des Moines, IA to Boone, IA

Drive Time

59m

Distance

40.9 mi

66 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 15 min

4 AM

0h 55m ★

6 AM

1h 0m

8 AM

1h 10m

10 AM

1h 3m

12 PM

1h 2m

3 PM

1h 4m

5 PM

1h 9m

8 PM

0h 57m

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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West Des Moines, IA

Daniel Dorfer

Boone, IA

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

If you are planning a quick excursion from West Des Moines to Boone, you can expect a manageable 40.9-mile journey that typically takes about 59 minutes to complete. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day outing, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics or heavy travel fatigue. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $6, it remains an economical choice for a weekend getaway within Iowa. You will spend the vast majority of your time navigating local roads rather than high-speed interstates, giving the drive a more personal, localized feel. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, the transition between these two points is seamless and familiar. It is a straightforward route that offers plenty of flexibility for your schedule.

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

20.5 miles from West Des Moines, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy experience on this drive, as it relies significantly more on local infrastructure than major thoroughfares. Only about 15% of your trip will be spent on the highway, specifically utilizing I-80 before transitioning to local connectors like South Kennedy Avenue and Northwest 142nd Street. You will find your longest uninterrupted stretch on South Kennedy Avenue, which spans 12.3 miles of the total distance. Because this is not a traditional interstate grind, you should be prepared for frequent adjustments and a more hands-on approach to your navigation. The personality of this route is defined by its technical local turns, requiring you to stay alert and engaged throughout the hour-long trip.

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

There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

South Kennedy Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 12.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 0.1 miles in near 8th Street.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 40.9 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 0.1 miles (8th Street): Lane positioning matters here; 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | 8th Street

Turn right onto 8th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

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

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...

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 none lane. Toward I-35 north, I-80 east: Chicago, Minneapo...

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

Towns Along This Route

Between West Des Moines, IA and Boone, IA, road signs point toward Chicago and Minneapolis.

Chicago

4 mi in | ~6m | via Ramp 72 E

Minneapolis

4.5 mi in | ~7m | via I 80

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
South Kennedy Avenue	12.3 mi	17m
Northwest 142nd Street	6.1 mi	8m
I 80	3.4 mi	3m
Northwest 114th Street	2.6 mi	3m
Mamie Eisenhower Avenue	2.4 mi	3m
John MacVicar Freeway	2.3 mi	2m
Southeast Grimes Boulevard	2.3 mi	3m
Northwest Granger Drive	1.8 mi	2m

Longest stretch: South Kennedy Avenue — 12.3 mi, about 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Vine Street

468 ft · 14 sec · Vine Street

Turn right onto 8th Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · 8th Street

Use the none lane.

Continue on 73rd Street

0.3 mi · 36 sec · 73rd Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward I-235 west Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 235

2.3 mi · 2 min · John MacVicar Freeway

Use the none lane.

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.

Merge onto I 80

3.4 mi · 3 min · I 80

Toward I-35 north, I-80 east: Chicago, Minneapolis Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 127B Toward IA 141 West: Grimes Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto IA 141

2.3 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Continue on IA 141

1.0 mi · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard

Continue on IA 141

2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street

Continue on IA 141

1.8 mi · 2 min · Northwest Granger Drive

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward IA 17: Madrid, Boone

Continue on IA 17

0.5 mi · 44 sec · Northwest 142nd Street

Enter roundabout onto IA 17

102 ft · 1 sec · Northwest 142nd Street

Continue on IA 17

5.6 mi · 7 min · Northwest 142nd Street

Continue on State Highway 17

0.3 mi · 21 sec · State Highway 17

Continue on Y Avenue

1.2 mi · 1 min · Y Avenue

Continue on IA 17

0.2 mi · 21 sec · State Highway 17

Continue on IA 17

12 mi · 17 min · South Kennedy Avenue

Turn left onto Robin Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Robin Road

At end of road, turn left onto CR E41

0.7 mi · 1 min · 210th Street

Continue on Mamie Eisenhower Avenue

2.4 mi · 3 min · Mamie Eisenhower Avenue

Arrive at destination

Mamie Eisenhower Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this is a short, sub-one-hour drive, you have the advantage of total departure flexibility, allowing you to hit the road whenever it best suits your plans. You won't need to schedule formal rest stops given the short duration, but it is wise to ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave, as the $6 estimate assumes a direct trip. Keep a close eye on your navigation when transitioning between Northwest 142nd Street and South Kennedy Avenue to avoid missing turns during the more technical portions of the route. Because the drive is light on highway miles, try to leave during daylight hours to make navigating the local road segments easier. Treat this as a low-stress trip and enjoy the simplicity of a quick Iowa transit.

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 20.5 miles from West Des Moines, IA, or about 29m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.3 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 40.9 miles or 59m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 20.5 miles or 29m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Boone, 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 40.9 miles and 59m.

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.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

The longest stretch is on South Kennedy Avenue for about 12.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 20.5 mi from West Des Moines, IA · 29m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waukee, IA

20 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

Ames, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waukee, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 20.5 miles from West Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Boone, IA

The final approach into Boone, 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 Boone, 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

$6.21 one way

$12.42 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 14 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$6.85	$13.70
premium	$4.80	$7.72	$15.44
diesel	$5.64	$9.09	$18.17

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$31–$56

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 14.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	12.3	$4.29	$1.96
Efficient EV	10.2	$3.58	$1.64
EV Truck/SUV	16.4	$5.73	$2.62

Gas CO2

14 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (64% 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 3 days ago

Origin

West Des Moines, IA

Afternoon in West Des Moines on Sunday

Local time

3:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Boone, IA

Afternoon in Boone on Sunday

Local time

3:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

42°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

1 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

59m 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 Boone, IA covers 40.9 miles and takes about 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are South Kennedy Avenue, Northwest 142nd Street, I 80. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 20.5 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 $6.21 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.

Between West Des Moines, IA and Boone, IA, road signs point toward Chicago and Minneapolis.

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