Origin
West Des Moines, IA
Evening in West Des Moines on Thursday
Local time
8:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Des Moines, IA to Center Point, IA
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
2h 48m
Distance
137.7 mi
222 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 38m
★
6 AM
2h 49m
8 AM
3h 10m
10 AM
2h 56m
12 PM
2h 54m
3 PM
2h 57m
5 PM
3h 9m
8 PM
2h 42m
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
Center Point, IA
Atlantic Ambience
Trip Overview
The drive from West Des Moines, IA to Center Point, IA covers 137.7 miles and takes about 2h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Lincoln Highway, Northeast Hubbell Road, 73rd Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 37 miles on Lincoln Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.53 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
68.9 miles from West Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 137.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 48m drive with frequent turns across 137.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lincoln Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 37 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 11 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 137.7 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 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
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
8
15 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
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 142
Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Ma...
7
123.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-380 north, IA 27 north: Waterloo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 north, IA 27 north: Waterloo
8
124 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
Turn left toward I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 west: Waterloo
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 west: W...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between West Des Moines, IA and Center Point, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport, Bondurant, Marion and Waterloo.
Council Bluffs
11 mi in
|
~16m
Davenport
11 mi in
|
~16m
Bondurant
15 mi in
|
~21m
|
via US 65
Marion
114.4 mi in
|
~2h 18m
Waterloo
123.6 mi in
|
~2h 29m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Highway | 37 mi | 42m |
| Northeast Hubbell Road | 33.5 mi | 39m |
| 73rd Street | 26.8 mi | 30m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 10.9 mi | 11m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 8.8 mi | 11m |
| IA 100 | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| I 80 | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| Northeast Hubbell Avenue | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 37 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines, IA and Center Point, 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 lane.
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 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
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
I 80
10
Take the exit onto US 65
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 65
Exit 142
Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
12
Continue on US 65; IA 330
33 mi
·
39 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Road
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
14
Merge onto US 30
37 mi
·
42 min
·
Lincoln Highway
15
Continue on US 30
27 mi
·
30 min
·
73rd Street
16
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
17
Continue on IA 100
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
IA 100
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
19
Keep slight left at fork
521 ft
·
23 sec
Toward I-380 north, IA 27 north: Waterloo
20
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 west: Waterloo
Use the left lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
286 ft
·
7 sec
22
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
this road
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Waterloo
Use the straight / left lanes.
23
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
11 mi
·
11 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward CR W36: Center Point
25
Turn right onto CR W36
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Lewis Access Road
26
Continue on CR W6E
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Franklin Street
27
Turn left onto State Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
State Street
28
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.9 miles from West Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37 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 30 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.9 miles or 1h 25m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Center Point, 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 137.7 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 Lincoln Highway for about 37 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.9 mi from West Des Moines, IA · 1h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.9 miles from West Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Center Point, IA
The final approach into Center Point, 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 Center Point, 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
$21.53 one way
$43.06 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.64 | $47.27 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.50 | $53.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.40 | $60.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.3 | 0 | $14.46 | $6.61 |
| Efficient EV | 34.4 | 0 | $12.05 | $5.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.1 | 0 | $19.28 | $8.81 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Center Point, IA
Evening in Center Point on Thursday
Local time
8:55 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
3 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
2h 48m 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 Center Point, IA covers 137.7 miles and takes about 2h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lincoln Highway, Northeast Hubbell Road, 73rd Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.9 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 $21.53 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.
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 137.7 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 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles (US 65): 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 Center Point, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport, Bondurant, Marion and Waterloo.
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