Nashua, IA to West Des Moines, IA is 149.9 miles and takes about 3h 7m via I 35 and State Highway 3, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, moving you across the Midwest. Given its relatively short duration and mostly highway profile, it's a straightforward drive. You'll spend a significant portion on the interstate, making it a functional transit rather than a scenic excursion. Plan for a single day of travel.
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
74.9 miles from Nashua, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
77.8 mi
1h 24m
State Highway 3
18.2 mi
25m
210th Street
15.7 mi
21m
John MacVicar Freeway
9.4 mi
12m
Avenue of the Saints
6.6 mi
7m
140th Street
6.4 mi
9m
Spring Avenue
4 mi
5m
Central Avenue East
2.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 77.8 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nashua, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.1 mi·32 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto IA 346
0.9 mi·1 min·Sample Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·49 sec
4
Merge onto US 218; IA 27
6.6 mi·7 min·Avenue of the Saints
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
6
Turn right onto IA 188
6.4 mi·9 min·140th Street
7
Turn left onto IA 188
4.0 mi·5 min·Spring Avenue
8
Continue on IA 188
1.5 mi·2 min·North Main Street
9
Continue on State Highway 188
1.8 mi·2 min·State Highway 188
10
At end of road, turn right onto IA 3
6.5 mi·8 min·210th Street
11
Continue on IA 3; IA 14
1.0 mi·1 min·State Highway 3
12
Continue on IA 3
7.4 mi·10 min·210th Street
13
Continue on IA 3
1.7 mi·2 min·South Street
14
Continue on IA 3
1.8 mi·2 min·210th Street
15
Continue on IA 3
8.2 mi·11 min·State Highway 3
16
Continue on IA 3
2.1 mi·4 min·Central Avenue East
17
Continue on IA 3
9.0 mi·12 min·State Highway 3
18
Continue on IA 3
517 ft·13 sec·Balsam Avenue
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Hampton, Clarion
20
Merge onto I 35
78 mi·1 hr 24 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
22
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
9.4 mi·12 min·John MacVicar Freeway
Toward I 235 West: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 4Toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor HeightsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn left onto IA 28
1.1 mi·2 min·63rd Street
25
Turn right onto Vine Street
0.4 mi·59 sec·Vine Street
26
Arrive at destination
Vine Street
Trip Plan
Consider departing Nashua in the morning to maximize daylight for your 3-hour drive to West Des Moines. With a total travel time under 4 hours and only one recommended stop, you have a lot of flexibility. The $23 fuel budget is an estimate, so check current prices before you leave. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 35 to State Highway 3, as this marks a significant change in the driving environment. This route is manageable in a single day, allowing for an early start and arrival with plenty of time to spare.
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 74.9 miles from Nashua, IA, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.8 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 33 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.9 miles or 1h 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 2h 33m
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 Nashua, 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 Nashua, IA
This is one driving day of about 149.9 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Nashua, 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 35 for about 77.8 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 21.9 and 148.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
21.9 mi into trip|~31m in|IA 3 / 210th Street
At end of road, turn right onto IA 3 / 210th Street
Navigation decision point
6
59.8 mi into trip|~1h 24m in
Take the ramp toward Hampton, Clarion
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Hampton, Clarion
5
60.1 mi into trip|~1h 25m in|I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
137.8 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
8
148.1 mi into trip|~3h 3m 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
$23.44 one way
$46.87 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$25.73
$51.46
premium
$4.89
$28.85
$57.69
diesel
$5.61
$33.10
$66.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45
0
$15.74
$7.20
Efficient EV
37.5
0
$13.12
$6.00
EV Truck/SUV
60
0
$20.99
$9.59
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (65% 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
Nashua, IA
Night
in Nashua on Saturday
Local time
11:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
West Des Moines, IA
Night
in West Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
11:39 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
18 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
3h 7m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on highways, with 71% of the route utilizing interstate or major state roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 77.8 miles on I 35 before transitioning to other roads. Expect to encounter numerous exits along the interstate portion, indicating more developed areas and potential for frequent, albeit brief, slowdowns. The shift to surface roads like 210th Street will offer a change of pace from the high-speed interstate cruising.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.8 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and State Highway 3. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 21.9 miles in near IA 3 / 210th Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 149.9 miles you will encounter 12 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 21.9 miles (IA 3 / 210th Street): Navigation decision point; at 59.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.1 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Nashua, IA and West Des Moines, IA, road signs point toward Hampton and Clarion.
Hampton
59.8 mi in|~1h 24m
Clarion
59.8 mi in|~1h 24m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 149.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.8 miles on I 35. 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.
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 21.9 miles (IA 3 / 210th Street): Navigation decision point; at 59.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.1 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at West Des Moines, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
