West Des Moines, IA to Red Oak, IA is 113.8 miles and takes about 2 hours 27 minutes via I 80, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically crossing a short distance within Iowa. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on the interstate, making it a convenient option for a quick trip between these two points. You won't encounter significant changes in scenery, but it serves well as a direct connection between your origin and destination. Consider this route for its simplicity and efficiency if you need to get from West Des Moines to Red Oak.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.9 miles from West Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
61.6 mi
1h 6m
110 Street
14 mi
20m
550th Street
10 mi
14m
White Pole Road
9 mi
13m
650th Street
6.5 mi
9m
East 7th Street
3.5 mi
6m
John MacVicar Freeway
3.3 mi
4m
8th Street
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 61.6 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines, IA and Red Oak, 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 westUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 235
3.3 mi·4 min·John MacVicar Freeway
6
Merge onto I 80
62 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US 6
0.4 mi·48 sec·US 6
Toward US 6, US 71: Atlantic, Audubon
8
Turn left onto US 6; US 71
6.5 mi·9 min·650th Street
9
Turn right onto US 6; US 71
3.5 mi·6 min·East 7th Street
10
Continue on US 6; IA 83
0.1 mi·20 sec·White Pole Road
11
Continue on US 6
0.6 mi·1 min·West 7th Street
12
Continue on US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·Southwest 7th Street
13
Continue on US 6
8.9 mi·13 min·White Pole Road
14
Turn left onto IA 48
5.3 mi·7 min·550th Street
15
Continue on IA 48
1.0 mi·1 min·Adair Street
16
Continue on IA 48
4.8 mi·7 min·550th Street
17
Continue on IA 48
0.9 mi·1 min·M Avenue
18
Continue on IA 48
14 mi·20 min·110 Street
19
Turn left onto West Hammond Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West Hammond Street
20
Turn right onto North 7th Street
300 ft·15 sec·North 7th Street
21
Turn right onto East Reed Street
329 ft·14 sec·East Reed Street
22
Arrive at destination
East Reed Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 27 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aiming for a morning departure from West Des Moines will allow you to reach Red Oak with plenty of time for activities. With only 113.8 miles and a fuel cost estimated at $18, you likely won't need to worry about frequent fuel stops, though it's always wise to start with a full tank. Since there are no designated stops mentioned and the longest stretch on I 80 is over 60 miles, consider planning a brief break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Red Oak, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstate routes.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.9 miles from West Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.6 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 25 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.9 miles or 1h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Red Oak, 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 113.8 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from West Des Moines, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 61.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
3.8 mi from route
~10 min detour
$10 to $20
mile 81.3
Atlantic, Iowa
Hours: 12 pm–2 am
+17122432426
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 113.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
5
5 mi into trip|~7m in|I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
66.6 mi into trip|~1h 14m in|US 6
Take the exit onto US 6 toward US 6, US 71: Atlantic, Audubon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 6, US 71: Atlantic, Audubon
4
73.5 mi into trip|~1h 23m in|US 6; US 71 / East 7th Street
Turn right onto US 6; US 71 / East 7th Street
Navigation decision point
5
113.8 mi into trip|~2h 26m in|East Reed Street
Turn right onto East Reed Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.79 one way
$35.58 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.53
$39.07
premium
$4.89
$21.90
$43.80
diesel
$5.61
$25.13
$50.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.1
0
$11.95
$5.46
Efficient EV
28.5
0
$9.96
$4.55
EV Truck/SUV
45.5
0
$15.93
$7.28
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
West Des Moines, IA
Afternoon
in West Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
3:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Red Oak, IA
Afternoon
in Red Oak on Saturday
Local time
3:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°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
24 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 27m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as a 'mixed drive,' with 57% of the journey on highways, primarily I 80. You'll experience a consistent pace for a significant portion, including a longest stretch of 61.6 miles on I 80 without needing to exit. The initial part of the route might involve some local roads like 110th Street and 550th Street before merging onto the interstate. Expect a blend of faster highway travel and potentially slower segments as you navigate in and out of the main thoroughfare. The character of the road is generally functional, designed for efficient travel rather than scenic exploration.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 61.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 27m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.6 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Red Oak, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Audubon along the way.
Audubon
66.6 mi in|~1h 14m|via US 6
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 113.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from West Des Moines, IA to Red Oak, IA covers 113.8 miles and takes about 2h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, 110 Street, 550th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.9 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 $17.79 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 is a straightforward 2h 27m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.6 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from West Des Moines, IA to Red Oak, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Audubon along the way.
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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
