Origin
West Des Moines, IA
Evening in West Des Moines on Wednesday
Local time
7:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Des Moines, IA to Buffalo (historical), IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
47m
Distance
34 mi
55 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 43m
★
6 AM
0h 47m
8 AM
0h 55m
10 AM
0h 50m
12 PM
0h 49m
3 PM
0h 50m
5 PM
0h 55m
8 PM
0h 45m
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
Buffalo (historical), IA
Karolina
Trip Overview
This 34-mile drive from West Des Moines to Buffalo (historical), Iowa, is a quick trip, clocking in at just 47 minutes. It's easily manageable as a day trip, with no need for an overnight stay. You'll navigate a mix of roads, including North Avenue, I-80, and John MacVicar Freeway, with about 46% of the journey on highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $5 for this short hop within the Midwest. This route offers a straightforward way to get from point A to point B without a significant time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
17 miles from West Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
The character of this drive is best described as a mixed bag, with 46% of the miles spent on highways. You'll experience a 13.8-mile stretch on North Avenue, which likely offers a different pace than the interstate sections. The journey isn't a monotonous interstate grind, nor is it purely rural backroads. Expect a blend of faster highway driving and potentially more local road segments as you make your way to Buffalo. This variety means you won't be stuck in one type of driving for the entire 47 minutes.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 13.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 34 miles you will encounter 8 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 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 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
5
5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
17.2 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward US 169, US 6: Adel, Winterset
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 169, US 6: Adel, Winterset
4
17.5 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
US 6; US 169 / North Avenue
Turn left onto US 6; US 169 / North Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
33.9 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
Maple Lane
Turn right onto Maple Lane
Navigation decision point
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 Buffalo (historical), IA, road signs begin pointing toward Winterset along the way.
Winterset
17.2 mi in
|
~21m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Avenue | 13.8 mi | 20m |
| I 80 | 12.1 mi | 13m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Clark Tower Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Guthrie Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| 8th Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| 73rd Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Vine Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North Avenue
— 13.8 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines, IA and Buffalo (historical), 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
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
6
Merge onto I 80
12 mi
·
13 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Toward US 169, US 6: Adel, Winterset
8
Turn left onto US 6; US 169
481 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Avenue
9
Continue on US 6; US 169
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Guthrie Street
10
Continue on US 169
14 mi
·
20 min
·
North Avenue
11
Continue on CR P71
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Clark Tower Road
12
Turn left onto CR G50
343 ft
·
10 sec
·
St Charles Road
13
Turn right onto Maple Lane
195 ft
·
8 sec
·
Maple Lane
14
Arrive at destination
Maple Lane
Trip Plan
With a duration of only 47 minutes, this trip offers a lot of flexibility for when you decide to depart. You could easily leave mid-morning and still have plenty of time for activities at your destination. Since the total distance is just 34 miles and the longest stretch without a significant change in road is 13.8 miles, you won't need to worry too much about formal stops for rest. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, though the estimated cost is a low $5, it's always good practice on any drive, especially if you plan to explore the immediate vicinity of Buffalo.
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 17 miles from West Des Moines, IA, or about 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.8 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 34 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17 miles or 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buffalo (historical), IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving West Des Moines, IA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from West Des Moines, IA
This is one driving day of about 34 miles and 47m.
At 34 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on North Avenue for about 13.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17 mi from West Des Moines, IA · 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17 miles from West Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Buffalo (historical), IA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Buffalo (historical), IA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.32 one way
$10.63 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $5.84 | $11.67 |
| premium | $4.89 | $6.54 | $13.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.51 | $15.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.2 | 0 | $3.57 | $1.63 |
| Efficient EV | 8.5 | 0 | $2.97 | $1.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.6 | 0 | $4.76 | $2.18 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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
Buffalo (historical), IA
Evening in Buffalo (historical) on Wednesday
Local time
7:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
47m 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 Buffalo (historical), IA covers 34 miles and takes about 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Avenue, I 80, John MacVicar Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17 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 $5.32 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 34 miles you will encounter 8 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 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from West Des Moines, IA to Buffalo (historical), IA, road signs begin pointing toward Winterset along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Buffalo (historical), IA
Explore more options from West Des Moines, IA or browse trips ending in Buffalo (historical), IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for West Des Moines, IA or Buffalo (historical), IA on MapSof.net.