Traveling from Sheldon to West Des Moines covers a distance of 214.7 miles through the Iowa heartland. You should plan for approximately 4 hours and 43 minutes of drive time, making this a very manageable single-day trip. With fuel costs estimated at around $33, it is an affordable excursion across the Midwest. You will rely primarily on 220th Street, US 169, and Northwest Granger Drive to navigate between these two points. Since the entire journey stays within the state of Iowa, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. It is a straightforward trip that does not require an overnight stay, allowing you to reach your destination with ease in a single push.
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
107.3 miles from Sheldon, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
220th Street
64.6 mi
1h 15m
US 169
16.6 mi
23m
Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi
18m
Lainson Avenue
12.2 mi
16m
H Avenue
11.4 mi
15m
20th Avenue
9.2 mi
12m
State Highway 3
8.6 mi
11m
IA 60 Business
7.5 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 64.6 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sheldon, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on 9th Street
25 ft·5 sec·9th Street
2
Turn left onto IA 60 Business
1.4 mi·2 min·2nd Avenue
3
Take the ramp onto IA 60 Business
7.5 mi·9 min·IA 60 Business
4
Turn left onto L22
5.6 mi·7 min·Log Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto IA 10
1.0 mi·1 min·460th Street
6
Continue on IA 10
0.5 mi·1 min·Garfield Street
7
Continue on IA 10
3.5 mi·4 min·460th Street
8
Turn right onto IA 143
5.0 mi·6 min·Nettle Avenue
Use the right lane.
9
Continue on IA 143
5.7 mi·7 min·D Avenue
10
Continue on IA 143
1.3 mi·2 min·Ames Avenue
11
Turn left onto IA 3
5.0 mi·6 min·490th Street
12
Continue on IA 3
4.2 mi·5 min·State Highway 3
13
Continue on IA 3
2.5 mi·3 min·500th Street
14
Turn straight onto IA 3
4.4 mi·6 min·State Highway 3
15
Turn left onto IA 3
3.4 mi·4 min·530th Street
16
Turn right onto IA 7
2.0 mi·2 min·V Avenue
17
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi·2 min·1st Street
18
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi·2 min·State Highway 7
19
Continue on IA 7
1.1 mi·1 min·Highway 7
20
Turn right onto 20th Avenue
9.2 mi·12 min·20th Avenue
21
Continue on CR M27
6.0 mi·8 min·Armstrong Avenue
22
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
61 mi·1 hr 10 min·220th Street
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward US 169
24
Turn right onto US 169
12 mi·16 min·Lainson Avenue
25
Turn left onto US 169
3.9 mi·5 min·360th Street
26
Take the exit onto US 169
16 mi·22 min·US 169
27
Turn left onto US 30; US 169
3.7 mi·5 min·220th Street
28
Take the exit onto US 169
0.4 mi·1 min·US 169
29
Turn right onto US 169
11 mi·15 min·H Avenue
30
Continue on US 169
1.9 mi·2 min·N Avenue
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward IA 141 east: Urbandale
32
Continue on IA 141
16 mi·18 min·Northwest Granger Drive
33
Continue on IA 141
2.6 mi·3 min·Northwest 114th Street
34
Continue on IA 141
1.0 mi·1 min·Northeast Grimes Boulevard
35
Continue on IA 141
0.6 mi·49 sec·Grimes Boulevard
36
Continue on IA 141
1.8 mi·2 min·Southeast Grimes Boulevard
37
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I-35 south, I-80 west: Kansas City, Council BluffsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Merge onto I 80; I 35
3.3 mi·3 min·I 80; I 35
Use the slight right lane.
39
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
0.4 mi·26 sec·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 I
0.4 mi·56 sec·Ramp 72 I
Exit 72AToward I 235 East: West Des Moines, Des MoinesUse the right lane.
41
Merge onto I 235
2.8 mi·3 min·John MacVicar Freeway
42
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 3Toward Windsor Heights, West Des MoinesUse the slight right lane.
43
Turn right onto 8th Street
1.0 mi·2 min·8th Street
Use the right lane.
44
Turn left onto Vine Street
468 ft·12 sec·Vine Street
45
Arrive at destination
Vine Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour and 43 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal preference. Since there is only one suggested stop, you should pace yourself by breaking up the 214.7-mile trek whenever you feel the need to stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the initial 64.6-mile stretch on 220th Street to ensure you do not run low in more isolated areas. Because this route involves a significant amount of local road navigation, try to avoid traveling during peak local traffic hours to keep your transit time efficient. Always double-check your navigation before hitting the road, as the turn-heavy nature of the drive requires careful attention to signage.
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 107.3 miles from Sheldon, IA, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.6 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 47 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.3 miles or 2h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 51m
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 Sheldon, 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 Sheldon, IA
This is one driving day of about 214.7 miles and 4h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Sheldon, 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 220th Street for about 64.6 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.9 and 213.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
8.9 mi into trip|~12m in|L22 / Log Avenue
Turn left onto L22 / Log Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
19.5 mi into trip|~27m in|IA 143 / Nettle Avenue
Turn right onto IA 143 / Nettle Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
205.5 mi into trip|~4h 29m in
Take the exit toward I-35 south, I-80 west: Kansas 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-35 south, I-80 west: Kansas City, Coun...
8
209.8 mi into trip|~4h 35m in|Ramp 72 I
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 I toward I 235 East: West Des Moines, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 72A
Toward I 235 East: West Des Moines, Des Moines
8
213.1 mi into trip|~4h 39m 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
$33.57 one way
$67.13 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$36.85
$73.71
premium
$4.89
$41.32
$82.63
diesel
$5.61
$47.40
$94.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.4
0
$22.54
$10.31
Efficient EV
53.7
0
$18.79
$8.59
EV Truck/SUV
85.9
1
$30.06
$13.74
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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
Sheldon, IA
Night
in Sheldon on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
West Des Moines, IA
Night
in West Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Jefferson, IA
107 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
5 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
4h 43m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this route. Only about 20% of your time will be spent on highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your trip navigating local roads that demand your full attention. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 64.6 miles spent on 220th Street, which serves as the backbone of your journey. Because the route relies so heavily on local thoroughfares, the road personality shifts from rural stretches to more developed connections as you approach West Des Moines. Be prepared for a hands-on driving experience that rewards those who prefer backroads over the predictable rhythm of a major freeway.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.6 mi on 220th Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.9 miles in near L22 / Log Avenue.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 214.7 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 8.9 miles (L22 / Log Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.5 miles (IA 143 / Nettle Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 205.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,466 ft825 ft
Total Climb
325 ft
Total Descent
924 ft
Highest Point
1,466 ft
~26.8 mi in
Elevation Range
641 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 43m. Total distance: 214.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.6 miles on 220th Street. 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 8.9 miles (L22 / Log Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.5 miles (IA 143 / Nettle Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 205.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at West Des Moines, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
