Origin
West Des Moines, IA
Afternoon in West Des Moines on Thursday
Local time
12:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Des Moines, IA to Iowa Falls, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 45m
Distance
88.2 mi
142 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 38m
★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 2m
10 AM
1h 51m
12 PM
1h 50m
3 PM
1h 52m
5 PM
2h 1m
8 PM
1h 41m
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
Iowa Falls, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from West Des Moines, IA to Iowa Falls, IA covers 88.2 miles and takes about 1h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 4th Street, Grand Avenue, 56th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.79 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.
Midpoint
44.1 miles from West Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 88.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 45m drive with frequent turns across 88.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
4th Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from West Des Moines, IA to Iowa Falls, IA is easy. At 1h 45m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from West Des Moines, IA to Iowa Falls, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 4th Street | — | — |
| Grand Avenue | — | — |
| 56th Street | — | — |
| I-235 east | — | — |
| John MacVicar Freeway | — | — |
| US 20 East | — | — |
| US 65 | — | — |
| Rocksylvania Avenue | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
4th Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines, IA and Iowa Falls, IA.
1
Start on Vine Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Vine Street
2
Turn left onto 4th Street
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
4th Street
3
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Avenue
4
Turn left onto 56th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
56th Street
5
Take the ramp right toward I-235 east
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
I-235 east
6
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
10 mi
·
13 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
7
Continue straight
54 mi
·
58 min
8
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 20 East: Waterloo
9
Merge slight left
15 mi
·
17 min
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 65: Iowa Falls, Hubbard
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
US 65: Iowa Falls, Hubbard
11
Turn left
5.1 mi
·
8 min
12
Turn right onto Rocksylvania Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Rocksylvania Avenue
13
Turn left onto Commercial Street
331 ft
·
9 sec
·
Commercial Street
14
Arrive at your destination
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.1 miles from West Des Moines, IA, or about 52m into the drive.
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 19 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.1 miles or 52m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Iowa Falls, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from West Des Moines, IA
This is one driving day of about 88.2 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from West Des Moines, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.1 mi from West Des Moines, IA · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 44.1 miles from West Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Iowa Falls, IA
The final approach into Iowa Falls, 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
$13.79 one way
$27.58 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.14 | $30.28 |
| premium | $4.89 | $16.97 | $33.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.47 | $38.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.5 | 0 | $9.26 | $4.23 |
| Efficient EV | 22.1 | 0 | $7.72 | $3.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.3 | 0 | $12.35 | $5.64 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Iowa Falls, IA
Afternoon in Iowa Falls on Thursday
Local time
12:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°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
2 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 45m 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 Iowa Falls, IA covers 88.2 miles and takes about 1h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 4th Street, Grand Avenue, 56th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44.1 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 $13.79 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.
The drive from West Des Moines, IA to Iowa Falls, IA is easy. At 1h 45m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from West Des Moines, IA to Iowa Falls, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from West Des Moines, IA to Iowa Falls, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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