Origin
West Des Moines, IA
Afternoon in West Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
2:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Des Moines, IA to Brooklyn, IA
Drive Time
1h 26m
Distance
73.4 mi
118 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 20m
★
6 AM
1h 27m
8 AM
1h 40m
10 AM
1h 31m
12 PM
1h 30m
3 PM
1h 32m
5 PM
1h 39m
8 PM
1h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Des Moines, IA
Daniel Dorfer
Brooklyn, IA
Jean-Daniel Francoeur
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a straightforward trip across the Iowa landscape, the 73.4-mile journey from West Des Moines to Brooklyn is an ideal day trip. Expect about 1 hour and 26 minutes of travel time, making it a quick and manageable excursion for any weekend. You will spend roughly $11 on fuel for this transit, which keeps the trip budget-friendly. Because the drive is short, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay, allowing you to easily complete the round trip in a single afternoon. Both the origin and destination sit within the Midwest, keeping the terrain and environment consistent throughout your journey.
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
36.7 miles from West Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 44m into the drive .
Drive Character
This route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 92% of your time spent on major roads. You will rely primarily on I-80 and the John MacVicar Freeway to cover the bulk of the distance. The most significant portion of your drive involves a 58.7-mile uninterrupted stretch along I-80, which offers a steady, high-speed pace. As you transition off the primary interstate, you will conclude the final leg of the trip via County Road V18. Be prepared for a functional, highway-oriented experience that prioritizes efficiency over technical winding roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 58.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and John MacVicar Freeway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Grand Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.4 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 0.6 miles (Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11 miles: 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 pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Grand Avenue
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / none lanes.
5
2.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Merge onto I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
11 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
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 137A-B
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council B...
9
11.3 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 East: Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 137A
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
5
11.6 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between West Des Moines, IA and Brooklyn, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs and Davenport.
Council Bluffs
11 mi in
|
~16m
Davenport
11 mi in
|
~16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 58.7 mi | 1h 3m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 8.8 mi | 11m |
| County Road V18 | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Grand Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 56th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Clay Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 4th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Jackson Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 58.7 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines, IA and Brooklyn, IA.
1
Start on Vine Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Vine Street
2
Turn left onto 4th Street
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
4th Street
3
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Avenue
Use the left / none lanes.
4
Turn left onto 56th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
56th Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I-235 east
6
Merge onto I 235
8.8 mi
·
11 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 137A-B
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 137A
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 80
59 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
I 80
Use the none lane.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward Brooklyn
11
Turn left onto CR V18
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
County Road V18
12
Continue on CR V18
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Clay Street
13
Turn slight left onto CR V18; US 6 Hist
406 ft
·
10 sec
·
CR V18; US 6 Hist
14
Turn right onto CR V18
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Jackson Street
15
Arrive at destination
CR V18
Trip Plan
Since this drive takes less than an hour and a half, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily head out in the morning or afternoon without worrying about fatigue, as there are no mandated stops required to complete the 73.4-mile distance. While the drive is quick, keep in mind that I-80 serves as the primary artery for your journey, so check for typical highway traffic patterns before you leave. Because the longest stretch covers nearly 60 miles, ensure you have sufficient fuel before hitting the interstate to avoid unnecessary detours. Given the straightforward nature of the route, this is a low-stress trip that allows you to focus on the road ahead.
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 36.7 miles from West Des Moines, IA, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.7 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 73.4 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.7 miles or 44m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brooklyn, 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 73.4 miles and 1h 26m.
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 I 80 for about 58.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.7 mi from West Des Moines, IA · 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 73.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.7 miles from West Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Brooklyn, IA
The final approach into Brooklyn, 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 Brooklyn, 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
$11.15 one way
$22.30 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $12.29 | $24.58 |
| premium | $4.80 | $13.86 | $27.71 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $16.31 | $32.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22 | 0 | $7.71 | $3.52 |
| Efficient EV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.42 | $2.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.4 | 0 | $10.28 | $4.70 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
Brooklyn, IA
Afternoon in Brooklyn on Sunday
Local time
2:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°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
6 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
1h 26m 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 Brooklyn, IA covers 73.4 miles and takes about 1h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, John MacVicar Freeway, County Road V18. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.7 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 $11.15 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.4 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between West Des Moines, IA and Brooklyn, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs and Davenport.
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