Road Trips from West Des Moines, IA
West Des Moines is a solid launchpad for exploring Iowa's varied landscapes, whether you're looking for a short, scenic drive or a longer haul. You've got options ranging from under an hour to nearly four hours, with routes primarily on mixed highway and surface roads. Several picks feature parks, making them good for a quick nature break. If you need to get somewhere efficiently, many routes score highly on drive score, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, there are also options that lean towards surface roads.
Total Routes
2
Shortest
3.8h
Full-day getaway
Bridgeport, IA
3h 54m206.7 mi one way
This is your longest option, at nearly 4 hours and 206 miles, making it a true weekend getaway. The route is mostly highway, giving you an efficient way to cover distance, and it has a strong drive score of 8. It's the furthest pick, offering the most significant change of scenery.
Maquoketa, IA
3h 50m203.9 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring offers good opportunities for drives to destinations with parks, like Buffalo and Glidden, as nature begins to reawaken.
Summer
The mix of highway and surface road options are all viable for summer exploration, with parks in Buffalo and Glidden providing potential stops.
Fall
Consider the longer highway routes to Centerville or Asbury for efficient fall color viewing, or the park-inclusive drives to Buffalo and Glidden.
Winter
Focus on the higher drive score routes like Centerville or Buffalo for efficient travel, as terrain variations are less of a factor.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the West Des Moines, IA city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.