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Trip from Malvern, 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 45m

Distance

133.3 mi

214 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 35m ★
6 AM
2h 46m
8 AM
3h 7m
10 AM
2h 53m
12 PM
2h 51m
3 PM
2h 54m
5 PM
3h 6m
8 PM
2h 39m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Malvern, IA, IA

Malvern, IA

Yusuf Çelik

city in Polk, Dallas, Warren, and Madison counties, Iowa, United States

West Des Moines, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Planning a trip from Malvern, IA, to West Des Moines, IA? This 133.3-mile drive will take you about 2 hours and 45 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with 97% of the route being on interstates and highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $21, and you'll likely only need one planned stop along the way. Given its relatively short length and highway focus, this is a straightforward journey through the heart of the Midwest, ideal for a single-day excursion without needing to break it up.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

66.6 miles from Malvern, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 82.1 mi 1h 28m
US 59 34.3 mi 49m
US 34 9.6 mi 14m
John MacVicar Freeway 3.3 mi 4m
8th Street 1 mi 2m
County Highway L63 1 mi 1m
Main Street 0.9 mi 2m
Vine Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 82.1 mi, about 1h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Malvern, IA and West Des Moines, IA.

1

Start on Main Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · Main Street
2

Continue on County Highway L63

1.0 mi · 1 min · County Highway L63
3

Turn right onto US 34

9.6 mi · 14 min · US 34
4

Turn right

0.2 mi · 42 sec
5

Turn right onto US 59

20 mi · 29 min · US 59
Use the left lane.
6

Turn left onto US 59

6.4 mi · 9 min · US 59
Use the left lane.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto US 59

7.5 mi · 11 min · US 59
8

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
9

Merge onto I 80

82 mi · 1 hr 28 min · I 80
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 235

3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway
Exit 123A Toward I 235 East: Des Moines Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 3 Toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines Use the slight right lane.
12

Turn right onto 8th Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · 8th Street
Use the right lane.
13

Turn left onto Vine Street

468 ft · 12 sec · Vine Street
14

Arrive at destination

Vine Street

Trip Plan

Since this 133.3-mile trip is easily manageable in under 3 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Aiming to leave mid-morning could allow for a leisurely start and an arrival in West Des Moines with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $21, planning is straightforward. Keep an eye on I-80 for potential traffic, especially closer to West Des Moines, as this is the longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.6 miles from Malvern, IA, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.1 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 29 miles or 44m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 66.6 miles or 1h 31m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 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 Malvern, 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 Malvern, IA

This is one driving day of about 133.3 miles and 2h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Malvern, 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 82.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Atlantic, IA

67 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

Avoca, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Atlantic, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 66.6 miles from Malvern, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Embers Restaurant and Lounge

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Avoca, Iowa

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 47.6

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+17123432419

Visit website

EL SOL Mexican Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Oakland, Iowa

2.1 mi

El Toreado Restaurant Bar & Grill . EP True

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Des Moines, Iowa

2.3 mi

The Embers Restaurant and Lounge

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 47.6

Avoca, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+17123432419

Visit website

EL SOL Mexican Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.6

Oakland, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+17124823288

Visit website

El Toreado Restaurant Bar & Grill . EP True

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 133.3

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152262182

Visit website

Chuckwagon Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 85.7

Adair, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+16417423611

Visit website

Tullpa Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 133.3

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152142327

Visit website

Mi Mexico Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 133.3

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+15152226933

Visit website

Los Altos Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 95.2

Stuart, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15155238000

Visit website

Chowrastha Indian Grill & Eatery - Indian Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 133.3

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+15153481054

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 114.2

De Soto, Iowa

+31880109500

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 47.6

Avoca, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 95.2

Stuart, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 123.8

Waukee, Iowa

+18887584389

Red E Charging Station

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 123.8

Waukee, Iowa

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 123.8

Waukee, Iowa

+31880109500

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 123.8

Waukee, IA

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 123.8

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

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 11.8 and 132.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
11.8 mi into trip | ~19m in | US 59

Turn right onto US 59

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
32.2 mi into trip | ~48m in | US 59

Turn left onto US 59

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
128.4 mi into trip | ~2h 37m 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
131.7 mi into trip | ~2h 42m 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
5
132.2 mi into trip | ~2h 43m in | 8th Street

Turn right onto 8th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.84 one way

$41.68 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $22.88 $45.76
premium $4.89 $25.65 $51.30
diesel $5.61 $29.43 $58.86

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 46.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40 0 $14.00 $6.40
Efficient EV 33.3 0 $11.66 $5.33
EV Truck/SUV 53.3 0 $18.66 $8.53

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Malvern, IA

Late night in Malvern on Sunday

Local time

2:53 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

West Des Moines, IA

Late night in West Des Moines on Sunday

Local time

2:53 AM

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 45m 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?

This drive is primarily a highway-focused experience, with 97% of the journey utilizing major roads like I-80, US-59, and US-34. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, including one segment of 82.1 miles entirely on I-80. While the landscape might be consistent, the focus is on efficient travel rather than varied terrain or winding roads. It's the kind of drive where you can settle in and cover ground quickly, with minimal distractions from slower local traffic.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.1 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US 59. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 11.8 miles in near US 59.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 133.3 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: at 11.8 miles (US 59): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.2 miles (US 59): Lane positioning matters here; at 128.4 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 45m. Total distance: 133.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 82.1 miles on I 80. 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: at 11.8 miles (US 59): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.2 miles (US 59): Lane positioning matters here; at 128.4 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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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