Origin
West Des Moines, IA
Afternoon in West Des Moines on Thursday
Local time
4:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Des Moines, IA to Mount Pleasant, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 48m
Distance
141.3 mi
227 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 11m
10 AM
2h 56m
12 PM
2h 54m
3 PM
2h 58m
5 PM
3h 10m
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
Mount Pleasant, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from West Des Moines, IA to Mount Pleasant, IA covers 141.3 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 IA 163, IA 5, Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 71.3 miles on IA 163. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.09 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
70.7 miles from West Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 141.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 48m highway drive covering 141.3 miles, with most of the trip on IA 163 and IA 5. The longest continuous stretch is about 71.3 miles on IA 163.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
IA 163 is the longest continuous segment at about 71.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IA 163 and IA 5. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in near IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 48m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles (IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.8 miles (IA 5): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 65.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
5.6 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Merge onto IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
13.8 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
IA 5
Take the exit onto IA 5 toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
4
65.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
6
136.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
|
US 34 Business
Take the exit onto US 34 Business toward US 34 Business East: Mount Pleasant, Westwood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 229
Toward US 34 Business East: Mount Pleasant, Wes...
4
141.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m in
|
South White Street
Turn right onto South White Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| IA 163 | 71.3 mi | 1h 22m |
| IA 5 | 51.3 mi | 58m |
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | 8.1 mi | 9m |
| US 34 Business | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| Southwest 63rd Street | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| State Highway 28 | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Vine Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| South White Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
IA 163
— 71.3 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines, IA and Mount Pleasant, IA.
1
Start on Vine Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Vine Street
2
Turn right onto IA 28
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Southwest 63rd Street;1st Street
3
Continue on IA 28
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 28
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
5
Merge onto IA 5
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto IA 5
19 mi
·
22 min
·
IA 5
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
7
Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92
32 mi
·
36 min
·
IA 5; IA 92
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
9
Merge onto IA 163
71 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
IA 163
10
Take the exit onto US 34 Business
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
US 34 Business
Exit 229
Toward US 34 Business East: Mount Pleasant, Westwood
11
Turn right onto South White Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
South White Street
12
Arrive at destination
South White 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 70.7 miles from West Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.3 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 31 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.7 miles or 1h 24m 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 Mount Pleasant, 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 141.3 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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 IA 163 for about 71.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 70.7 mi from West Des Moines, IA · 1h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.7 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 IA 163 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.3 miles.
Arriving in Mount Pleasant, IA
The final approach into Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, 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
$22.09 one way
$44.18 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.25 | $48.51 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.19 | $54.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.20 | $62.39 |
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: 49.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.4 | 0 | $14.84 | $6.78 |
| Efficient EV | 35.3 | 0 | $12.36 | $5.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.5 | 0 | $19.78 | $9.04 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Mount Pleasant, IA
Afternoon in Mount Pleasant on Thursday
Local time
4:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
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
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 Mount Pleasant, IA covers 141.3 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 IA 163, IA 5, Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 70.7 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 $22.09 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 straightforward 2h 48m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles (IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.8 miles (IA 5): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 65.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from West Des Moines, IA to Mount Pleasant, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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Return Trip
Mount Pleasant, IA to West Des Moines, IAPlan the drive back the other way.
141.1 mi
2h 48m
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