Origin
Belmond, IA
Afternoon in Belmond on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Belmond, IA to West Des Moines, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 1m
Distance
98.9 mi
159 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 53m
★
6 AM
2h 2m
8 AM
2h 19m
10 AM
2h 8m
12 PM
2h 6m
3 PM
2h 9m
5 PM
2h 19m
8 PM
1h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Belmond, IA
Uiliam Nörnberg
West Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 98.9-mile drive from Belmond, IA, to West Des Moines, IA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 1 minute to complete. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with an estimated fuel cost of around $15. You'll spend most of your time on major arteries like I-35 and US-69, making for an efficient journey. Given its relatively short distance and straightforward nature, this trip is ideal for a quick getaway or an easy commute between these two Midwest locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.4 miles from Belmond, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 59 mi | 1h 4m |
| US 69 | 15 mi | 20m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| River Avenue South | 8.8 mi | 12m |
| 190th Street | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| 63rd Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Vine Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Main Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 59 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belmond, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue Northeast
61 ft
·
4 sec
·
2nd Avenue Northeast
2
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.1 mi
·
37 sec
·
East Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 69
8.8 mi
·
12 min
·
River Avenue South
4
Turn left onto US 69
15 mi
·
20 min
·
US 69
5
Turn left onto CR D20
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
190th Street
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward Somerset Road
7
Merge onto I 35
59 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
9
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.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 4
Toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto IA 28
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
63rd Street
12
Turn right onto Vine Street
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Vine Street
13
Arrive at destination
Vine Street
Trip Plan
With a total travel time of just over 2 hours, this route offers flexibility for when you depart. Leaving in the morning or mid-afternoon should allow you to avoid significant traffic. Since there are no designated stops in the data and the drive is relatively short, you can easily complete it without needing to break it up. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 59-mile stretch on I-35, to ensure you have enough to reach West Des Moines comfortably, as planned fuel costs are around $15.
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 49.4 miles from Belmond, IA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59 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 22 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.4 miles or 1h 3m 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 38m
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 Belmond, 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 Belmond, IA
This is one driving day of about 98.9 miles and 2h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Belmond, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 59 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.4 miles from Belmond, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 97.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Main Street
Turn right onto East Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
8.9 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
US 69
Turn left onto US 69
Navigation decision point
5
27.8 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
86.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
8
97.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.46 one way
$30.92 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.98 | $33.95 |
| premium | $4.89 | $19.03 | $38.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.84 | $43.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.38 | $4.75 |
| Efficient EV | 24.7 | 0 | $8.65 | $3.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.6 | 0 | $13.85 | $6.33 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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
West Des Moines, IA
Afternoon in West Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°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
5 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 1m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for the vast majority of this 98.9-mile journey, with 84% of the drive utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a solid 59 miles on I-35, offering a consistent pace. While the primary roads are interstates and US highways, the overall feel is one of efficient travel rather than scenic exploration. You'll transition smoothly from one major road to another, including John MacVicar Freeway as you approach your destination.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 69. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Main Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 1m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.9 miles (US 69): Navigation decision point; at 27.8 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in West Des Moines, IA
Full guide →West Des Moines is a small city in Central Iowa, the largest suburb of Des Moines.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 1m. Total distance: 98.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.9 miles (US 69): Navigation decision point; at 27.8 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at West Des Moines, IA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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