Origin
West Des Moines, IA
Late night in West Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
1:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Des Moines, IA to Ogden, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h
Distance
44.5 mi
72 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 56m
★
6 AM
1h 1m
8 AM
1h 11m
10 AM
1h 4m
12 PM
1h 3m
3 PM
1h 5m
5 PM
1h 10m
8 PM
0h 58m
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
Ogden, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Trip Overview
West Des Moines, IA to Ogden, IA is 44.5 miles and takes about 1 hour via Northwest Granger Drive, H Avenue, and I 80, with a fuel budget near $7 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward drive stays within the Midwest region, specifically Iowa, making it a convenient local excursion. Given its short duration and minimal highway share, it’s ideal for a quick day trip or an easy commute. You won't spend much time on the road, so there's little need for extensive planning, but it's good to be aware of the local road segments.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h. Total distance: 44.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
This trip is characterized by its turn-heavy local driving profile, with only 13% of the journey on the interstate. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, experiencing a more connected feel to the landscape. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 15.6 miles on Northwest Granger Drive, so expect frequent turns and changes in direction. This isn't a high-speed interstate cruise; rather, it's a more engaging drive that requires your attention as you transition between rural and potentially suburban areas.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Northwest Granger Drive is the longest continuous segment at about 15.6 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 1.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 44.5 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles (Ramp 72 E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
8
4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
Ramp 72 E
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 E toward I 35 North, I 80 East: Minneapolis, Chicago
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 123B
Toward I 35 North, I 80 East: Minneapolis, Chic...
7
4.5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80 toward I-35 north, I-80 east: Chicago, Minneapolis
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-35 north, I-80 east: Chicago, Minneapo...
7
7.9 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the exit toward IA 141 West: Grimes
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 127B
Toward IA 141 West: Grimes
5
30.2 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the exit toward US 169: Ogden, Adel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 169: Ogden, Adel
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 Ogden, IA, road signs point toward Chicago, Minneapolis and Adel.
Chicago
4 mi in
|
~6m
|
via Ramp 72 E
Minneapolis
4.5 mi in
|
~7m
|
via I 80
Adel
30.2 mi in
|
~39m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest Granger Drive | 15.6 mi | 18m |
| H Avenue | 11.6 mi | 15m |
| I 80 | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| Northwest 114th Street | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Southeast Grimes Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| N Avenue | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| 8th Street | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Northwest Granger Drive
— 15.6 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines, IA and Ogden, 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
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
6
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 E
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
Ramp 72 E
Exit 123B
Toward I 35 North, I 80 East: Minneapolis, Chicago
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 80
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
I 80
Toward I-35 north, I-80 east: Chicago, Minneapolis
Use the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 127B
Toward IA 141 West: Grimes
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto IA 141
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast Grimes Boulevard
10
Continue on IA 141
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Grimes Boulevard
11
Continue on IA 141
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest 114th Street
12
Continue on IA 141
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Northwest Granger Drive
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward US 169: Ogden, Adel
14
Turn right onto US 169
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
N Avenue
15
Continue on US 169
12 mi
·
15 min
·
H Avenue
16
Turn slight left onto South 1st Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 1st Street
17
Turn right onto CR E41
87 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Walnut Street
18
Arrive at destination
CR E41
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.3 mi from West Des Moines, IA · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.3 miles from West Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ogden, IA
The final approach into Ogden, 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
$6.96 one way
$13.91 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $7.64 | $15.28 |
| premium | $4.89 | $8.56 | $17.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.83 | $19.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.4 | 0 | $4.67 | $2.14 |
| Efficient EV | 11.1 | 0 | $3.89 | $1.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.23 | $2.85 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Ogden, IA
Late night in Ogden on Saturday
Local time
1:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 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
1h 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 Ogden, IA covers 44.5 miles and takes about 1h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Northwest Granger Drive, H Avenue, I 80. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22.3 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 $6.96 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 44.5 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles (Ramp 72 E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between West Des Moines, IA and Ogden, IA, road signs point toward Chicago, Minneapolis and Adel.
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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