West Des Moines, IA Road Trips

With 23 routes heading out and 22 heading in, West Des Moines, IA works well as a modest departure point in the Midwest. Most drives stay under 115 miles, making this area well-suited for day trips and weekend getaways. Most routes from West Des Moines, IA head east, giving the route network a clear directional lean.

Photo: Daniel Dorfer

Trip Routes

45

Longest Drive

263.1 mi

George, IA

Quickest Drive

17m

Grimes, IA

Plan Around West Des Moines, IA

Popular Incoming Routes

Useful if West Des Moines, IA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.

George, IA to West Des Moines, IA 263.1 mi · 5h 5m Sheldon, IA to West Des Moines, IA 214.7 mi · 4h 43m Sioux City, IA to West Des Moines, IA 194.5 mi · 3h 35m Fort Madison, IA to West Des Moines, IA 181.3 mi · 3h 2m

Continue From West Des Moines, IA

Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.

West Des Moines, IA to Sheldon, IA 252.6 mi · 4h 42m West Des Moines, IA to Bridgeport, IA 206.7 mi · 3h 54m West Des Moines, IA to Dubuque, IA 195 mi · 3h 56m West Des Moines, IA to Fort Madison, IA 181.5 mi · 3h 37m

Trips from West Des Moines, IA

West Des Moines, IA to Sheldon, IA

252.6 mi 4h 42m

West Des Moines, IA to Bridgeport, IA

206.7 mi 3h 54m

West Des Moines, IA to Dubuque, IA

195 mi 3h 56m

West Des Moines, IA to Fort Madison, IA

181.5 mi 3h 37m

West Des Moines, IA to Burlington, IA

173.3 mi 3h 25m

West Des Moines, IA to Anamosa, IA

148 mi 3h 2m

West Des Moines, IA to Mechanicsville, IA

147.1 mi 2h 52m

West Des Moines, IA to Springville, IA

138.4 mi 2h 49m

West Des Moines, IA to Carter Lake, IA

133 mi 2h 31m

West Des Moines, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

127 mi 2h 8m

West Des Moines, IA to Iowa City, IA

119.6 mi 2h 18m

West Des Moines, IA to Bloomfield, IA

113.2 mi 2h 14m

West Des Moines, IA to Villisca, IA

109 mi 2h 13m

West Des Moines, IA to Eagle Grove, IA

99.7 mi 2h 1m

West Des Moines, IA to Belle Plaine, IA

94 mi 1h 53m

West Des Moines, IA to Avoca, IA

88.9 mi 1h 39m

West Des Moines, IA to Oakland, IA

82.1 mi 1h 42m

West Des Moines, IA to Brooklyn, IA

73.4 mi 1h 26m

Driving from West Des Moines, IA

The typical drive from West Des Moines, IA covers about 115 miles and takes around 2h 16m. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 253 miles (4h 42m), while the shortest is just 12 miles.

Popular Destinations

Drivers leaving West Des Moines, IA most often head toward Sheldon, IA (252.6 mi, 4h 42m), Bridgeport, IA (206.7 mi, 3h 54m), Dubuque, IA (195 mi, 3h 56m), Fort Madison, IA (181.5 mi, 3h 37m), and Burlington, IA (173.3 mi, 3h 25m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.

Planning & Costs

Regular gas in IA currently averages around $3.77 per gallon. For the typical 115-mile trip from West Des Moines, IA, budget about $17 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.

Routes tend to go east, so afternoon departures put the sun at your back on the return leg. With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 23 mapped routes leaving West Des Moines, IA and 22 routes heading into West Des Moines, IA, covering 45 total connections. Distances range from 12 to 253 miles.

The longest mapped route from West Des Moines, IA covers 253 miles and takes approximately 4h 42m. Shorter options start at just 12 miles.

The average route from West Des Moines, IA runs about 115 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 16m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.

At current gas prices (about $3.77/gallon for regular), the average 115-mile trip from West Des Moines, IA costs roughly $17 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.

The most popular road trip destinations from West Des Moines, IA include Sheldon, IA, Bridgeport, IA, Dubuque, IA and Fort Madison, IA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.