Origin
West Des Moines, IA
Late night in West Des Moines on Thursday
Local time
12:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Des Moines, IA to Jefferson, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 22m
Distance
60.8 mi
98 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 16m
★
6 AM
1h 22m
8 AM
1h 35m
10 AM
1h 27m
12 PM
1h 25m
3 PM
1h 27m
5 PM
1h 34m
8 PM
1h 18m
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
Jefferson, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from West Des Moines, IA to Jefferson, IA covers 60.8 miles and takes about 1h 22m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway, Northwest Granger Drive, Neola Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 17.7 miles on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.51 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
30.4 miles from West Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 22m drive with frequent turns across 60.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 17.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 8th Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 60.8 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.1 miles (8th Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
8th Street
Turn right onto 8th Street
Navigation decision point
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
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 Jefferson, IA, road signs point toward Chicago and Minneapolis.
Chicago
4 mi in
|
~6m
|
via Ramp 72 E
Minneapolis
4.5 mi in
|
~7m
|
via I 80
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| George P. Soumas Memorial Highway | 17.7 mi | 24m |
| Northwest Granger Drive | 16.5 mi | 19m |
| Neola Avenue | 8.5 mi | 11m |
| 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 |
| South Elm Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
— 17.7 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines, IA and Jefferson, 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
Continue on IA 141
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Northwest Granger Drive
14
Continue on IA 141
18 mi
·
24 min
·
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
15
Turn right onto IA 4
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 4
16
Continue on IA 4
8.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Neola Avenue
17
Continue on IA 4
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
South Elm Street
18
Continue on IA 4
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
·
N Avenue
19
Continue on IA 4
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Elm Street
20
Turn left onto West Lincolnway Street
22 ft
·
0 sec
·
West Lincolnway Street
21
Arrive at destination
West Lincolnway Street
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 30.4 miles from West Des Moines, IA, or about 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.7 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 13 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30.4 miles or 40m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson, 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 60.8 miles and 1h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 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 George P. Soumas Memorial Highway for about 17.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.4 mi from West Des Moines, IA · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.4 miles from West Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Jefferson, IA
The final approach into Jefferson, 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
$9.51 one way
$19.01 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.44 | $20.87 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.70 | $23.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.42 | $26.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.2 | 0 | $6.38 | $2.92 |
| Efficient EV | 15.2 | 0 | $5.32 | $2.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.3 | 0 | $8.51 | $3.89 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (67% 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
Jefferson, IA
Late night in Jefferson on Thursday
Local time
12:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Madrid, IA
30 mi in
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
22 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
1h 22m 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 Jefferson, IA covers 60.8 miles and takes about 1h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are George P. Soumas Memorial Highway, Northwest Granger Drive, Neola Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 30.4 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 $9.51 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 60.8 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.1 miles (8th Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Between West Des Moines, IA and Jefferson, IA, road signs point toward Chicago and Minneapolis.
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