Traveling from George to West Des Moines covers 263.1 miles across the heart of the Midwest. You can expect to spend about 5 hours and 5 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $40, it is an affordable journey that keeps your travel costs predictable. Since the route stays entirely within Iowa, you will experience a consistent regional feel from start to finish. Whether you are heading out for business or a weekend visit, the straightforward nature of this drive allows for a stress-free experience. Plan on dedicating one full day to the transit to ensure you arrive feeling refreshed rather than rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
131.6 miles from George, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
94.9 mi
1h 41m
US 75
30.1 mi
36m
I 880
16 mi
17m
IA 60
10.4 mi
12m
Jackson Avenue
8 mi
10m
County Road K64
7.4 mi
10m
L14
5.7 mi
8m
Kennedy Avenue
3.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 94.9 mi, about 1h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between George, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on North Main Street
377 ft·17 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto East Boiler Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·East Boiler Avenue
3
Turn right onto South Virginia Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Virginia Street
4
Continue on L14
5.7 mi·8 min·L14
5
Continue on CR L14
3.8 mi·5 min·Kennedy Avenue
6
Continue on CR L14
0.5 mi·1 min·Colfax Street
7
Turn right onto US 18
3.0 mi·4 min·320th Street
8
Turn left onto CR K64
8.0 mi·10 min·Jackson Avenue
9
Continue on County Road K64
3.7 mi·5 min·County Road K64
10
Continue on Albany Avenue
1.9 mi·5 min·Albany Avenue
11
Continue on Albany Place
0.5 mi·54 sec·Albany Place
12
Continue on County Road K64
3.7 mi·5 min·County Road K64
13
Turn right onto IA 60
10 mi·12 min·IA 60
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 75
30 mi·36 min·US 75
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 29: Sioux City, Council BluffsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
73 mi·1 hr 19 min
Toward I 29 South: Council Bluffs, Sioux Gateway Airport
17
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 71Toward I 880 East: Des Moines
18
Continue on I 880
16 mi·17 min·I 880
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·43 sec
Exit 16AToward I 80 East: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 80
95 mi·1 hr 41 min·I 80
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 235
3.3 mi·4 min·John MacVicar Freeway
Exit 123AToward I 235 East: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 3Toward Windsor Heights, West Des MoinesUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn right onto 8th Street
1.0 mi·2 min·8th Street
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto Vine Street
468 ft·12 sec·Vine Street
25
Arrive at destination
Vine Street
Trip Plan
To keep your 5-hour drive comfortable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the route relies heavily on major arteries, keep an eye on traffic patterns during peak hours when merging onto the interstate. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential congestion and ensure you reach West Des Moines with plenty of daylight left. Given the 94.9-mile stretch on I-80, check your fuel levels before merging onto the interstate to avoid unnecessary detours. Flexibility is a major advantage here, as the route's duration is short enough to allow for a relaxed pace without needing an overnight stay.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 131.6 miles from George, IA, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.9 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 58 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.6 miles or 2h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 12m
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 George, 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 George, IA
This is one driving day of about 263.1 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from George, 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 94.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 72.2 and 261.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
72.2 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 29: Sioux City, Council Bluffs
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 29: Sioux City, Council Bluffs
6
72.6 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 29 South: Council Bluffs, Sioux Gateway Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 29 South: Council Bluffs, Sioux Gatewa...
8
162.6 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 16A
Toward I 80 East: Des Moines
8
258.2 mi into trip|~4h 58m in|I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway toward I 235 East: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123A
Toward I 235 East: Des Moines
8
261.5 mi into trip|~5h 2m in
Take the exit toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3
Toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.13 one way
$82.27 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$45.16
$90.32
premium
$4.89
$50.63
$101.26
diesel
$5.61
$58.09
$116.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.9
0
$27.63
$12.63
Efficient EV
65.8
0
$23.02
$10.52
EV Truck/SUV
105.2
1
$36.83
$16.84
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 21, 2026
Origin
George, IA
Late night
in George on Tuesday
Local time
3:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
West Des Moines, IA
Late night
in West Des Moines on Tuesday
Local time
3:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Partly Cloudy
SSW 12 to 16 mph0% chanceLive 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 5m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing local roads with major interstate travel. You will spend about 59% of your time on highways, utilizing a combination of US 75, I-880, and I-80 to make your way across the state. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-80, where you will cover 94.9 miles of continuous interstate driving. Expect the road character to shift as you transition from the smaller local routes onto the higher-speed, multi-lane interstate system. It is a functional and efficient drive that prioritizes steady progress through the Iowa landscape.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.9 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 72.2 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 263.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 72.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,416 ft825 ft
Total Climb
495 ft
Total Descent
1,055 ft
Highest Point
1,416 ft
~206.7 mi in
Elevation Range
591 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between George, IA and West Des Moines, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs and Sioux Gateway Airport.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 5m. Total distance: 263.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.9 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 72.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at West Des Moines, IA before the return drive.
