Trip from Wilton, IA to West Des Moines, IA

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

Drive Time

2h 48m

Distance

149.2 mi

240 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 38m ★

6 AM

2h 49m

8 AM

3h 11m

10 AM

2h 57m

12 PM

2h 54m

3 PM

2h 58m

5 PM

3h 10m

8 PM

2h 42m

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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Trip Overview

The drive from Wilton, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 149.2 miles and takes about 2h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 80, John MacVicar Freeway, Rose Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 132.7 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.33 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

74.6 miles from Wilton, 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 48m. Total distance: 149.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 48m highway drive covering 149.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and John MacVicar Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 132.7 miles on I 80.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 12 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 132.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and John MacVicar Freeway. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 6 Hist / West 5th Street.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Wilton, IA to West Des Moines, IA is easy. At 2h 48m with 96% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 6 Hist / West 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (US 6 / United States Highway 6): Navigation decision point; at 4.7 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

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

4

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 6 Hist / West 5th Street

Turn left onto US 6 Hist / West 5th Street

Navigation decision point

4

1.2 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 6 / United States Highway 6

At end of road, turn right onto US 6 / United States Highway 6

Navigation decision point

5

4.7 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.

7

137.4 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in

Take the exit toward I 235 West: Des Moines

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 137A Toward I 235 West: Des Moines

8

147.4 mi into trip | ~2h 44m in

Take the exit toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 4 Toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	132.7 mi	2h 23m
John MacVicar Freeway	9.4 mi	12m
Rose Avenue	2.7 mi	4m
63rd Street	1.1 mi	2m
West 5th Street	1.1 mi	1m
United States Highway 6	0.5 mi	<1m
Vine Street	0.4 mi	<1m
Maurer Street	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 80 — 132.7 mi, about 2h 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Maurer Street

318 ft · 19 sec · Maurer Street

2

Turn left onto US 6 Hist

1.1 mi · 1 min · West 5th Street

3

At end of road, turn right onto US 6

0.5 mi · 43 sec · United States Highway 6

4

Continue on US 6

2.7 mi · 4 min · Rose Avenue

5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec

6

Merge onto I 80

133 mi · 2 hr 23 min · I 80

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

7

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 137A Toward I 235 West: Des Moines Use the slight left lane.

8

Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

9.4 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway

Toward I 235 West: Des Moines Use the straight / slight right lanes.

9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Exit 4 Toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights Use the straight / slight right lanes.

10

Turn left onto IA 28

1.1 mi · 2 min · 63rd Street

11

Turn right onto Vine Street

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Vine Street

12

Arrive at destination

Vine 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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 74.6 miles from Wilton, IA, or about 1h 23m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.7 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 33 miles or 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 74.6 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 15m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Des Moines, IA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Wilton, 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 Wilton, IA

This is one driving day of about 149.2 miles and 2h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Wilton, 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 80 for about 132.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 74.6 mi from Wilton, IA · 1h 23m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brooklyn, IA

75 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

Iowa City, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brooklyn, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 74.6 miles from Wilton, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.7 miles.

Arriving in West Des Moines, IA

The final approach into West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines, 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

Konomi Japanese Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Coralville, Iowa

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 32

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13193512880

Visit website

Perkins American Food Co.

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Coralville, Iowa

0.5 mi

La Bendición

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Coralville, Iowa

1.2 mi

Konomi Japanese Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 32

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13193512880

Visit website

Perkins American Food Co.

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 32

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 5:30 am–12 pm

+13195696870

Visit website

La Bendición

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 32

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13195691091

Visit website

Restaurant Gaï

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 32

Coralville, Iowa

+13195123058

Visit website

El Dorado Mexican Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 32

Coralville, Iowa

+13196885237

Applebee's Grill + Bar

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 32

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+13193581986

Visit website

Oasis Falafel (Iowa City)

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 32

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+13193587342

Visit website

El Toreado Restaurant Bar & Grill . EP True

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 149.2

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152262182

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 32

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+31880109500

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 32

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 32

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 32

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 74.6

Brooklyn, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 53.3

Williamsburg, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 95.9

Grinnell, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargeLab Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 32

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+31880109500

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.33 one way

$46.65 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$25.61	$51.22
premium	$4.89	$28.71	$57.42
diesel	$5.61	$32.94	$65.88

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: 52.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	44.8	$15.67	$7.16
Efficient EV	37.3	$13.05	$5.97
EV Truck/SUV	59.7	$20.89	$9.55

Gas CO2

52 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

Wilton, IA

Night in Wilton on Friday

Local time

11:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

West Des Moines, IA

Night in West Des Moines on Friday

Local time

11:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

50°F

Brooklyn, IA

75 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

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 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 48m 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 Wilton, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 149.2 miles and takes about 2h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 80, John MacVicar Freeway, Rose Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 74.6 miles from Wilton, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.33 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.

The drive from Wilton, IA to West Des Moines, IA is easy. At 2h 48m with 96% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 6 Hist / West 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (US 6 / United States Highway 6): Navigation decision point; at 4.7 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Wilton, IA to West Des Moines, 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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Trip from Wilton, IA to West Des Moines, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in West Des Moines, IA

Nearby Places

Konomi Japanese Restaurant

Konomi Japanese Restaurant

Perkins American Food Co.

La Bendición

Restaurant Gaï

El Dorado Mexican Restaurant

Applebee's Grill + Bar

Oasis Falafel (Iowa City)

El Toreado Restaurant Bar & Grill . EP True

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargeLab Charging Station

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Wilton, IA

West Des Moines, IA

Same local time

2 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 48m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Wilton, IA to West Des Moines, IA?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How many breaks should I plan?

How hard is the drive from Wilton, IA to West Des Moines, IA?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from Wilton, IA to West Des Moines, IA?

How this page is built

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