Drive Time
59m
Distance
40.9 mi
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
The drive from West Des Moines, IA to Boone, IA covers 40.9 miles and takes about 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 8th Street, 73rd Street, I-235 west for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.07 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
20.5 miles from West Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .
Expect a 59m drive with frequent turns across 40.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 8th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 73rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I-235 west | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| John MacVicar Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I-35 north | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| IA 141 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Southeast Grimes Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines, IA and Boone, IA.
Start on Vine Street
Turn right onto 8th Street
Continue on 73rd Street
Take the ramp left toward I-235 west
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 North, I 80 East: Minneapolis, Chicago
Merge slight left onto I-35 north, I-80 east: Chicago, Minneapolis
Take the exit slight right toward IA 141 West: Grimes
Merge slight left onto Southeast Grimes Boulevard
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
Take the exit slight right toward IA 17: Madrid, Boone
Continue on Northwest 142nd Street
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Northwest 142nd Street
Exit the roundabout onto Northwest 142nd Street
Continue on State Highway 17
Continue on Y Avenue
Continue on State Highway 17
Continue on South Kennedy Avenue
Turn left onto Robin Road
At the end of the road, turn left onto 210th Street
Continue on Mamie Eisenhower Avenue
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 40.9 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.5 miles or 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Boone, IA than in the middle of the route.
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 40.9 miles and 59m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.5 mi from West Des Moines, IA · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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.
A short stop after about 40.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 20.5 miles from West Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Boone, 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 Boone, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$6.07 one way
$12.14 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $6.85 | $13.70 |
| premium | $4.65 | $7.49 | $14.99 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $8.54 | $17.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.3 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.29 | $1.96 |
| Efficient EV | 10.2 | 0 | $3.58 | $1.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.4 | 0 | $5.73 | $2.62 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in West Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
7:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Boone on Saturday
Local time
7:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
43°F
Waukee, IA
20 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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