Conrad, IA to West Des Moines, IA is 72.1 miles and takes about 1h 33m via IA 330, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within the Midwest, specifically remaining in Iowa for the entirety of your journey. It’s a straightforward trip, mostly on highways, making it a convenient option for a quick move or a short weekend getaway. You’ll find the route generally practical with minimal fuss, allowing you to get where you need to go efficiently. Consider this a reliable option when you need to cover ground without a lot of complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.1 miles from Conrad, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
IA 330
35.9 mi
42m
John MacVicar Freeway
9.4 mi
12m
Sanford Avenue
7 mi
9m
Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi
8m
US 65
4.5 mi
5m
160th Street
4.3 mi
5m
330th Street
1.4 mi
2m
North Main Street
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
IA 330
— 35.9 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Conrad, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on North Main Street
74 ft·4 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn right onto CR D67
0.2 mi·16 sec·West Center Street
3
Continue on CR D67
1.4 mi·2 min·330th Street
4
Turn left onto IA 14
7.0 mi·9 min·Sanford Avenue
5
Turn right onto IA 330
4.3 mi·5 min·160th Street
6
Keep slight left at fork onto IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·North Main Street
7
Continue on IA 330
5.9 mi·8 min·Marsh Avenue
8
Turn right onto IA 330
36 mi·42 min·IA 330
9
Take the exit onto US 65
4.5 mi·5 min·US 65
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 137AToward I 235 West: Des MoinesUse the slight left lane.
11
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
9.4 mi·12 min·John MacVicar Freeway
Toward I 235 West: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 4Toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor HeightsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto IA 28
1.1 mi·2 min·63rd Street
14
Turn right onto Vine Street
0.4 mi·59 sec·Vine Street
15
Arrive at destination
Vine Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour and 33 minutes, this trip is easily completed in a single day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. There are no specified stops, so you can choose to make them as needed or power through. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading out, as the estimated fuel cost is around $11. Since the longest stretch on IA 330 is 35.9 miles, plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly to ensure you're comfortable during that segment. This is a manageable drive, so you won't need to split it up, but it's always a good idea to take a short break if you feel tired.
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 36.1 miles from Conrad, IA, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.9 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 16 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.1 miles or 46m 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 17m
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 Conrad, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Conrad, IA
This is one driving day of about 72.1 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Conrad, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on IA 330 for about 35.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 70.3 — 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|CR D67 / West Center Street
Turn right onto CR D67 / West Center Street
Navigation decision point
4
1.6 mi into trip|~2m in|IA 14 / Sanford Avenue
Turn left onto IA 14 / Sanford Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
55.9 mi into trip|~1h 10m in|US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
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.
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
7
60.3 mi into trip|~1h 16m 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
70.3 mi into trip|~1h 29m 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
$11.27 one way
$22.54 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$12.38
$24.75
premium
$4.89
$13.87
$27.75
diesel
$5.61
$15.92
$31.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.6
0
$7.57
$3.46
Efficient EV
18
0
$6.31
$2.88
EV Truck/SUV
28.8
0
$10.09
$4.61
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Conrad, IA
Late night
in Conrad on Sunday
Local time
2:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
32°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 17 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 17 at 11:29PM CDT until April 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 17 at 10:38PM CDT until April 24 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
West Des Moines, IA
Late night
in West Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
2:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
35°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 14 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 17 at 11:29PM CDT until April 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 17 at 10:38PM CDT until April 24 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
72°F
Colfax, IA
36 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
3 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
1h 33m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 69% of the journey on faster roads, so expect a good amount of time on paved, higher-speed routes. The longest uninterrupted stretch you’ll encounter is 35.9 miles on IA 330, offering a consistent period of travel before any significant changes. As you progress, the main roads you'll be on include IA 330, John MacVicar Freeway, and Sanford Avenue. The profile suggests a fairly direct and uninterrupted experience for the majority of the trip, making it easy to maintain a steady pace.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.9 mi on IA 330.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IA 330 and John MacVicar Freeway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR D67 / West Center Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.1 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR D67 / West Center Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (IA 14 / Sanford Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 55.9 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 72.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.9 miles on IA 330. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at West Des Moines, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR D67 / West Center Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (IA 14 / Sanford Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 55.9 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at West Des Moines, IA before heading back.
