Skip to main content

Trip from West Des Moines, IA to Fayette, IA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 45m

Distance

167.1 mi

269 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

21 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 33m ★
6 AM
3h 46m
8 AM
4h 11m
10 AM
3h 55m
12 PM
3h 52m
3 PM
3h 56m
5 PM
4h 10m
8 PM
3h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Polk, Dallas, Warren, and Madison counties, Iowa, United States

West Des Moines, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Fayette, IA, IA

Fayette, IA

XT7 Core

Trip Overview

The drive from West Des Moines, IA to Fayette, IA covers 167.1 miles and takes about 3h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Northeast Hubbell Road, Sanford Avenue, 230th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.2 miles on Northeast Hubbell Road. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.12 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

83.6 miles from West Des Moines, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 167.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 45m drive with frequent turns across 167.1 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 48 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Northeast Hubbell Road is the longest continuous segment at about 35.2 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 0.6 miles in near Grand Avenue.

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 33 significant decision points across 167.1 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 0.6 miles (Grand Avenue): 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; at 11.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 33 key points

These 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 lane.
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
114 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in

Take the exit toward US 218 South: Waterloo

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 185 Toward US 218 South: Waterloo

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 Fayette, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport, Bondurant, Cr D18: Cedar Falls and Broadway Street: Airport.

Council Bluffs

11 mi in | ~16m

Davenport

11 mi in | ~16m

Bondurant

15 mi in | ~21m | via US 65

Cr D18: Cedar Falls

105.2 mi in | ~2h 17m

Broadway Street: Airport

115.6 mi in | ~2h 33m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Northeast Hubbell Road 35.2 mi 41m
Sanford Avenue 15.9 mi 21m
230th Street 12.9 mi 17m
US 20 11.2 mi 12m
60th Street 9 mi 12m
John MacVicar Freeway 8.8 mi 11m
Logan Avenue 6.9 mi 8m
240th Street 6.3 mi 9m
Longest stretch: Northeast Hubbell Road — 35.2 mi, about 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

35 mi · 41 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
13

Turn left onto IA 330

5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
14

Continue on IA 330

1.2 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
15

Continue on IA 330

4.3 mi · 5 min · 160th Street
16

Turn left onto IA 14

16 mi · 21 min · Sanford Avenue
17

Turn right onto IA 14; IA 175

6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
18

Turn left onto M Avenue

1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
19

Continue on County Road T37

1.0 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
20

Turn sharp right onto 210th Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · 210th Street
21

Turn left onto IA 14

4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
22

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 58 sec
Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
23

Merge onto US 20

11 mi · 12 min · US 20
24

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
25

Turn left onto Grundy Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Grundy Road
26

Continue on University Avenue

3.5 mi · 4 min · University Avenue
27

Enter roundabout onto Greenhill Road

8 ft · 0 sec · Greenhill Road
28

Continue on Greenhill Road

1.2 mi · 2 min · Greenhill Road
29

Turn left onto IA 27; IA 58

2.7 mi · 3 min · Avenue of the Saints
30

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 185 Toward US 218 South: Waterloo Use the slight right lane.
31

Merge onto US 218

0.7 mi · 48 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway
32

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward Broadway Street: Airport
33

Turn left onto Airport Boulevard

0.3 mi · 35 sec · Airport Boulevard
34

Turn right onto West Airline Highway

3.0 mi · 5 min · West Airline Highway
35

Turn left onto US 63

6.9 mi · 8 min · Logan Avenue
36

Continue on US 63

4.8 mi · 5 min · Larrabee Avenue
37

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec
38

Turn right onto IA 3

13 mi · 17 min · 230th Street
39

Continue on IA 3

9.0 mi · 12 min · 60th Street
40

Turn straight onto IA 150

4.0 mi · 5 min · P Avenue
41

Turn right onto IA 150

1.8 mi · 2 min · Main Street West
42

Continue on IA 150

3.2 mi · 4 min · 100th Street
43

Turn left onto IA 150

3.8 mi · 5 min · K Avenue
44

Turn right onto Klock Road

0.4 mi · 44 sec · Klock Road
45

Continue on Washington Street

0.3 mi · 35 sec · Washington Street
46

Turn left onto East 7th Street

317 ft · 8 sec · East 7th Street
47

Turn right onto South Main Street

0.3 mi · 36 sec · South Main Street
48

Arrive at destination

South Main Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 83.6 miles from West Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.2 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 37 miles or 48m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 83.6 miles or 1h 50m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 3m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fayette, 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 167.1 miles and 3h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 Northeast Hubbell Road for about 35.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 83.6 mi from West Des Moines, IA · 1h 50m into the drive

Downtown Eldora, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Eldora, IA

84 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

Colfax, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Eldora, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 83.6 miles from West Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Fayette, IA

The final approach into Fayette, 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 Fayette, 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

$26.12 one way

$52.25 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $28.68 $57.37
premium $4.89 $32.16 $64.31
diesel $5.61 $36.89 $73.79

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 58.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

21 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Kum & Go - Tesla Supercharger

Des Moines, IA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Fareway Store #106 (Clive, IA)

Clive, IA

Electrify America

6 DCFC

Kum & Go - Tesla Supercharger

Altoona, IA

Tesla

6 DCFC

11989 Hickman Rd

Urbandale, IA

CHARGELAB

4 DCFC

West DesMoines HyVee

West DesMoines, IA

CHARGELAB

4 DCFC

Brixmor-Haymarket Square (Des Moines, IA)

Des Moines, IA

Electrify America

4 DCFC

Charles Gabus Ford - DCFC

Des Moines, IA

Blink Network

4 DCFC

4605 Fleur Dr

Des Moines, IA

CHARGELAB

4 DCFC

CHARGELAB: 9 ChargePoint Network: 4 Electrify America: 2 Non-Networked: 2 Tesla: 2 Blink Network: 1 RED_E: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 50.1 0 $17.55 $8.02
Efficient EV 41.8 0 $14.62 $6.68
EV Truck/SUV 66.8 0 $23.39 $10.69

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

West Des Moines, IA

Afternoon in West Des Moines on Thursday

Local time

12:07 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fayette, IA

Afternoon in Fayette on Thursday

Local time

12:07 PM

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

5 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

3h 45m 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 Fayette, IA covers 167.1 miles and takes about 3h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Northeast Hubbell Road, Sanford Avenue, 230th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.6 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 $26.12 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 33 significant decision points across 167.1 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 0.6 miles (Grand Avenue): 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; at 11.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between West Des Moines, IA and Fayette, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport, Bondurant, Cr D18: Cedar Falls and Broadway Street: Airport.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Fayette, IA to West Des Moines, IA

Plan the drive back the other way.

167.1 mi 3h 45m

Explore more options from West Des Moines, IA or browse trips ending in Fayette, IA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.

Explore maps for West Des Moines, IA or Fayette, IA on MapSof.net.