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Trip from West Des Moines, IA to Lake Mills, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 51m

Distance

146.7 mi

236 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 40m ★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 13m
10 AM
2h 59m
12 PM
2h 57m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 12m
8 PM
2h 44m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Polk, Dallas, Warren, and Madison counties, Iowa, United States

West Des Moines, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Lake Mills, IA, IA

Lake Mills, IA

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from West Des Moines, IA to Lake Mills, IA covers 146.7 miles and takes about 2h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 35, John MacVicar Freeway, 410th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 120.2 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.93 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

73.3 miles from West Des Moines, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 146.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 51m highway drive covering 146.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and John MacVicar Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 120.2 miles on I 35.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 120.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and John MacVicar Freeway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Grand Avenue.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 51m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (56th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles: Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | Grand Avenue

Turn right onto Grand Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
4
1.3 mi into trip | ~2m in | 56th Street

Turn left onto 56th Street

Navigation decision point

4
1.9 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward I-235 east

Navigation decision point

Toward I-235 east
5
2.2 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway

Merge onto I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
133.1 mi into trip | ~2h 28m in | CR A38 / 410th Street

Turn left onto CR A38 / 410th Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 35 120.2 mi 2h 9m
John MacVicar Freeway 10.3 mi 13m
410th Street 5.6 mi 9m
Bluebill Avenue 3.6 mi 5m
County Road 105 1.5 mi 2m
South Western Street 1.1 mi 1m
County Highway 105 1 mi 1m
East Main Street 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 35 — 120.2 mi, about 2h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines, IA and Lake Mills, IA.

1

Start on Vine Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Vine Street
2

Turn left onto 4th Street

0.4 mi · 55 sec · 4th Street
3

Turn right onto Grand Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
4

Turn left onto 56th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · 56th Street
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward I-235 east
6

Merge onto I 235

10 mi · 13 min · John MacVicar Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 35

120 mi · 2 hr 9 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec
9

Turn left onto CR A38

5.6 mi · 9 min · 410th Street
10

Turn right onto South Western Street

1.1 mi · 1 min · South Western Street
11

Continue on Bluebill Avenue

3.6 mi · 5 min · Bluebill Avenue
12

Turn left onto CR 105; I 35 ALT

1.5 mi · 2 min · County Road 105
13

Continue on CR 105

1.0 mi · 1 min · County Highway 105
14

Continue on CR 105

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
15

Arrive at destination

US 69

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.3 miles from West Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120.2 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 32 miles or 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 73.3 miles or 1h 23m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Mills, 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 146.7 miles and 2h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from West Des Moines, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 120.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 73.3 mi from West Des Moines, IA · 1h 23m into the drive

city in Story County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ames, IA

73 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.

Popular next leg

Ames, IA to Lake Mills, IA

111.4 mi · 2h 11m

Pacing Suggestions

Ankeny, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ames, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73.3 miles from West Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 120.2 miles.

Arriving in Lake Mills, IA

The final approach into Lake Mills, 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 Lake Mills, IA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

El Toreado Restaurant Bar & Grill . EP True

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Des Moines, Iowa

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152262182

Visit website

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Des Moines, Iowa

2.7 mi

El Toreado Restaurant Bar & Grill . EP True

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152262182

Visit website

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour Inexpensiv mile 10.5

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+15152622775

Visit website

Now Or Later Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 10.5

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15152669777

Visit website

Burger Shed Restaurant Altoona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 10.5

Altoona, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15156307433

Visit website

Tullpa Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152142327

Visit website

Olympic Flame Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 10.5

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152434361

Visit website

Mi Mexico Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+15152226933

Visit website

HoQ Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $30 to $50 mile 10.5

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 5–9 pm

+15152441213

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 83.8

Dows, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 41.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 31.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 31.4

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 41.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 31.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 73.3

Williams, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15155160821

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 31.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.93 one way

$45.87 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $25.18 $50.36
premium $4.89 $28.23 $56.46
diesel $5.61 $32.39 $64.78

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44 0 $15.40 $7.04
Efficient EV 36.7 0 $12.84 $5.87
EV Truck/SUV 58.7 0 $20.54 $9.39

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

West Des Moines, IA

Late night in West Des Moines on Saturday

Local time

2:47 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lake Mills, IA

Late night in Lake Mills on Saturday

Local time

2:47 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°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

19 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 51m 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 Lake Mills, IA covers 146.7 miles and takes about 2h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 35, John MacVicar Freeway, 410th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 73.3 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 $22.93 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a straightforward 2h 51m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (56th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles: Navigation decision point.

The route from West Des Moines, IA to Lake Mills, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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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