Origin
West Des Moines, IA
Late night in West Des Moines on Friday
Local time
1:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Des Moines, IA to Lamoni, IA
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
1h 24m
Distance
72.4 mi
116 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 18m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 29m
12 PM
1h 27m
3 PM
1h 29m
5 PM
1h 36m
8 PM
1h 20m
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
Lamoni, IA
Luis Quintero
Trip Overview
This straightforward 72.4-mile drive from West Des Moines, IA to Lamoni, IA takes about 1 hour and 24 minutes. Primarily using I-35, with brief segments on Grand Avenue and US 69, this route is almost entirely highway at 92% highway share. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day trip, especially considering the estimated fuel cost of just $11. The Midwest scenery provides a consistent backdrop for this efficient journey between two Iowa locations. You'll find this drive to be a simple and direct way to get between these two points.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 24m. Total distance: 72.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this trip, with 92% of the 72.4 miles covered on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch will be approximately 64.3 miles along I-35. This means you'll experience a consistent pace for the majority of your journey. While much of the drive is on the interstate, be prepared for the transition onto Grand Avenue and US 69 as you approach your destination. The character remains that of a swift and efficient transit between the two Iowa cities.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 64.3 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,167 ft
825 ft
Total Climb
662 ft
Total Descent
360 ft
Highest Point
1,167 ft
~46.5 mi in
Elevation Range
342 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Grand Avenue. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near Grand Avenue.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from West Des Moines, IA to Lamoni, IA is easy. At 1h 24m with 92% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (Grand Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (I 35): 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
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Grand Avenue
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
5 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the ramp toward DMACC West Campus
Navigation decision point
Toward DMACC West Campus
3
5.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
69.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward Del Mar Boulevard, Old Santa Maria Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Del Mar Boulevard, Old Santa Maria Road
4
72.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
|
West 4th Street
Turn left onto West 4th Street
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 Lamoni, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Dmacc West Campus along the way.
Dmacc West Campus
5 mi in
|
~9m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 64.3 mi | 1h 9m |
| Grand Avenue | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| US 69 | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Vine Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| South Chestnut Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 4th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 64.3 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines, IA and Lamoni, IA.
1
Start on Vine Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Vine Street
2
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Grand Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward DMACC West Campus
4
Merge onto I 35
64 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 35
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward Del Mar Boulevard, Old Santa Maria Road
6
Turn right onto US 69
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
US 69
7
Turn left onto South Chestnut Street
237 ft
·
11 sec
·
South Chestnut Street
8
Turn left onto West 4th Street
125 ft
·
5 sec
·
West 4th Street
9
Arrive at destination
West 4th Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.2 mi from West Des Moines, IA · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.2 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 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.3 miles.
Arriving in Lamoni, IA
The final approach into Lamoni, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.32 one way
$22.64 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.43 | $24.86 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.93 | $27.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.99 | $31.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.60 | $3.48 |
| Efficient EV | 18.1 | 0 | $6.34 | $2.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29 | 0 | $10.14 | $4.63 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Lamoni, IA
Late night in Lamoni on Friday
Local time
1:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Osceola, IA
36 mi in
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
22 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 24m 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 Lamoni, IA covers 72.4 miles and takes about 1h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, Grand Avenue, US 69. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.2 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 $11.32 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.
The drive from West Des Moines, IA to Lamoni, IA is easy. At 1h 24m with 92% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (Grand Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining.
On the drive from West Des Moines, IA to Lamoni, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Dmacc West Campus along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 825 ft to 1,167 ft elevation with about 662 ft of total climbing.
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