Origin
West Des Moines, IA
Morning in West Des Moines on Wednesday
Local time
7:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Des Moines, IA to Denison, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 28m
Distance
124.2 mi
200 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 18m
★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 49m
10 AM
2h 36m
12 PM
2h 34m
3 PM
2h 37m
5 PM
2h 48m
8 PM
2h 22m
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
Denison, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 124.2-mile journey from West Des Moines, IA to Denison, IA is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 28 minutes. With 98% of the drive on highways, it’s a classic Midwest road trip focused on efficient travel. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $19, making it an economical choice for a day excursion. Since it's a relatively short distance within the same region and state, it’s perfectly suited for a single-day adventure without the need for an overnight stop. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, ensuring a consistent pace.
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
62.1 miles from West Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for nearly the entire 124.2 miles, as 98% of this route utilizes major roadways. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch on I 80, covering 82 miles. This means the drive is primarily characterized by consistent speeds and efficient travel, with minimal time spent on slower, local roads. The route is designed for getting from point A to point B effectively, offering a predictable driving experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 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 82 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US 59. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 8th Street.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from West Des Moines, IA to Denison, IA is easy. At 2h 28m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (8th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
8th Street
Turn right onto 8th Street
Navigation decision point
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
3
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Merge onto I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining
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
87 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward US 59: Avoca, Harlan
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 59: Avoca, Harlan
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 Denison, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Harlan along the way.
Harlan
87 mi in
|
~1h 35m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 82 mi | 1h 27m |
| US 59 | 35.9 mi | 49m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| 8th Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| US 30 | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 73rd Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Vine Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 82 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines, IA and Denison, 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
82 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward US 59: Avoca, Harlan
8
Turn right onto US 59
36 mi
·
49 min
·
US 59
9
Turn slight right onto US 30
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 30
Toward US 30 East: Carroll
10
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
South Main Street
11
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 28-minute duration, this trip is ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You won't need to worry about long stretches without services, but it's always wise to keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 82-mile segment on I 80. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your time at your destination. With a fuel cost estimate of $19, planning for a fill-up before you leave West Des Moines or upon arrival in Denison is a practical step.
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 62.1 miles from West Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82 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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.1 miles or 1h 9m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Denison, 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 124.2 miles and 2h 28m.
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 82 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 62.1 mi from West Des Moines, IA · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 62.1 miles from West Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82 miles.
Arriving in Denison, IA
The final approach into Denison, 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 Denison, 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
$19.42 one way
$38.83 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.32 | $42.64 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.90 | $47.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.42 | $54.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.3 | 0 | $13.04 | $5.96 |
| Efficient EV | 31.1 | 0 | $10.87 | $4.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.7 | 0 | $17.39 | $7.95 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Denison, IA
Morning in Denison on Wednesday
Local time
7:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 28m 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 Denison, IA covers 124.2 miles and takes about 2h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, US 59, John MacVicar Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 62.1 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 $19.42 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.
The drive from West Des Moines, IA to Denison, IA is easy. At 2h 28m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (8th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining.
On the drive from West Des Moines, IA to Denison, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Harlan along the way.
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