Origin
Newton, IA
Night in Newton on Saturday
Local time
11:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Newton, 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
52m
Distance
40.6 mi
65 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 48m
★
6 AM
0h 52m
8 AM
1h 1m
10 AM
0h 55m
12 PM
0h 54m
3 PM
0h 56m
5 PM
1h 0m
8 PM
0h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Newton, IA
Wikimedia Commons
West Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a straightforward transit between Newton and West Des Moines, this 41.2-mile journey is a practical choice. You can easily complete the trip in about 44 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. With a fuel budget of approximately $6, it is an economical route that keeps costs low. Because both locations are situated within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. This trip is best suited for those who prefer a direct, no-nonsense commute rather than a multi-day sightseeing tour.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 6 | 26.6 mi | 29m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| 63rd Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South 8th Avenue West | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South 12th Avenue West | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 1st Street South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Vine Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 1st Avenue East | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 6
— 26.6 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newton, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on US 6
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue East
2
Turn left onto 1st Street South
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Street South
3
At end of road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue West
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 8th Avenue West
4
Continue on West 12th Street South
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
West 12th Street South
5
Keep slight right at fork onto South 12th Avenue West
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
South 12th Avenue West
6
Turn left onto US 6; IA 14
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
US 6; IA 14
7
Take the ramp onto US 6
26 mi
·
29 min
·
US 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 137A
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Use the slight left lane.
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
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 40.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.3 miles from Newton, 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 85 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 38.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
1st Street South
Turn left onto 1st Street South
Navigation decision point
4
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
South 8th Avenue West
At end of road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue West
Navigation decision point
4
1.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
South 12th Avenue West
Keep slight right at fork onto South 12th Avenue West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
28.8 mi into trip
|
~34m 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
38.8 mi into trip
|
~47m 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
$6.35 one way
$12.69 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.97 | $13.94 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.81 | $15.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.96 | $17.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.26 | $1.95 |
| Efficient EV | 10.2 | 0 | $3.55 | $1.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.2 | 0 | $5.68 | $2.60 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Night in West Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
11:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
20 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
52m 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 turn-heavy local drive as you navigate away from Newton and toward West Des Moines. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route relies entirely on local roads, meaning you will not spend any time on high-speed highways. You will navigate through local thoroughfares like 1st Street South, South 8th Avenue West, and West 12th Street South. Because the entire 41.2-mile distance is comprised of local navigation, be prepared for a more engaged driving experience compared to a standard highway haul. Stay focused on your turns, as the road character demands your constant attention to local signage.
89% 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: 26.6 mi on US 6.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 6 and John MacVicar Freeway. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near 1st Street South.
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 40.6 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.3 miles (1st Street South): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (South 8th Avenue West): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (South 12th Avenue West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 52m. Total distance: 40.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 26.6 miles on US 6. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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: at 0.3 miles (1st Street South): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (South 8th Avenue West): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (South 12th Avenue West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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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