Trip from West Des Moines, IA to Nashua, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 7m

Distance

149.7 mi

241 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

2h 56m ★

6 AM

3h 7m

8 AM

3h 30m

10 AM

3h 15m

12 PM

3h 13m

3 PM

3h 16m

5 PM

3h 29m

8 PM

3h 0m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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

West Des Moines, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Nashua, IA

Andhika Indra Pratama

Trip Overview

The drive from West Des Moines, IA to Nashua, IA covers 149.7 miles and takes about 3h 7m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 35, State Highway 3, 210th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 77.1 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.40 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

74.9 miles from West Des Moines, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 35	77.1 mi	1h 23m
State Highway 3	18.1 mi	24m
210th Street	15.7 mi	21m
John MacVicar Freeway	10.3 mi	13m
140th Street	6.6 mi	9m
Avenue of the Saints	6.6 mi	7m
Spring Avenue	4 mi	5m
Central Avenue West	2.1 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 35 — 77.1 mi, about 1h 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Vine Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Vine Street

Turn left onto 4th Street

0.4 mi · 55 sec · 4th Street

Turn right onto Grand Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Grand Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto 56th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · 56th Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward I-235 east

Merge onto I 235

10 mi · 13 min · John MacVicar Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

77 mi · 1 hr 23 min · I 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward IA 3: Hampton, Clarion

Turn right onto IA 3

8.9 mi · 12 min · State Highway 3

Continue on IA 3

2.1 mi · 4 min · Central Avenue West

Continue on IA 3

8.2 mi · 11 min · State Highway 3

Continue on IA 3

1.8 mi · 2 min · 210th Street

Continue on IA 3

1.7 mi · 2 min · South Street

Continue on IA 3

7.4 mi · 10 min · 210th Street

Continue on IA 3; IA 14

1.0 mi · 1 min · State Highway 3

Continue on IA 3

6.5 mi · 8 min · 210th Street

Turn left onto IA 188

1.8 mi · 2 min · State Highway 188

Continue on IA 188

1.5 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

Continue on IA 188

4.0 mi · 5 min · Spring Avenue

Turn right onto IA 188

6.6 mi · 9 min · 140th Street

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 57 sec

Merge onto US 218; IA 27

6.6 mi · 7 min · Avenue of the Saints

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 57 sec

Turn right onto IA 346

0.7 mi · 1 min · Sample Street

Turn right onto Main Street

0.1 mi · 27 sec · Main Street

Arrive at destination

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 74.9 miles from West Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 25m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.1 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 33 miles or 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 74.9 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nashua, 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 149.7 miles and 3h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 I 35 for about 77.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Story County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ames, IA

75 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

Ankeny, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Oakland, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 74.9 miles from West Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

St. Kilda Collective

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Des Moines, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+15157052030

Visit website

Paula's Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Des Moines, Iowa

0.3 mi

Cafe con Leche

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

1.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 10.7

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+15156307000

Visit website

SweetDude Coffee & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Clive, Iowa

2.7 mi

St. Kilda Collective

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+15157052030

Visit website

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15154758085

KaffeGeita

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 53.5

Story City, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15157332029

Visit website

The Vault

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 42.8

Gilbert, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+15152321686

Visit website

Life Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 85.6

Dows, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 32.1

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 96.3

Hampton, Iowa

+31880109500

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 32.1

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 32.1

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 32.1

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 89.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | Grand Avenue

Turn right onto Grand Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

1.3 mi into trip | ~2m in | 56th Street

Turn left onto 56th Street

Navigation decision point

1.9 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward I-235 east

Navigation decision point

Toward I-235 east

2.2 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway

Merge onto I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

89.7 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in

Take the exit toward IA 3: Hampton, Clarion

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward IA 3: Hampton, Clarion

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.40 one way

$46.81 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$25.70	$51.39
premium	$4.89	$28.81	$57.62
diesel	$5.61	$33.05	$66.10

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	44.9	$15.72	$7.19
Efficient EV	37.4	$13.10	$5.99
EV Truck/SUV	59.9	$20.96	$9.58

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

18 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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

West Des Moines, IA

Afternoon in West Des Moines on Saturday

Local time

1:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

34°F

Clear

NW 13 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Nashua, IA

Afternoon in Nashua on Saturday

Local time

1:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°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

36 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

3h 7m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

149.7 mi in 3h 7m, mostly highway — 77.1 mi of that is on I 35.

72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 77.1 mi on I 35.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and State Highway 3. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Grand Avenue.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 7m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (56th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles: 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 Nashua, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Clarion along the way.

Clarion

89.7 mi in | ~1h 41m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 149.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (72%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 77.1 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (56th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles: Navigation decision point.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Nashua, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from West Des Moines, IA to Nashua, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

St. Kilda Collective

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

St. Kilda Collective

Paula's Cafe

Cafe con Leche

El Toreado Restaurant Bar & Grill . EP True

Waveland Cafe

Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

Now Or Later Restaurant

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

SweetDude Coffee & Café

TMC Chrome Cafe

KaffeGeita

The Vault

Life Cafe

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Shell Recharge Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Paris Banh Mi Windsor Heights

University Library Cafe

Discover Ames

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

West Des Moines, IA

Nashua, IA

Same local time

36 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 7m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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