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Trip from West Branch, 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 25m

Distance

128.9 mi

207 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 15m ★
6 AM
2h 25m
8 AM
2h 45m
10 AM
2h 32m
12 PM
2h 30m
3 PM
2h 33m
5 PM
2h 44m
8 PM
2h 19m

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 West Branch, IA, IA

West Branch, IA

Tom Fisk

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

West Des Moines, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

West Branch, IA to West Des Moines, IA is 128.9 miles and takes about 2h 25m via I 80, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within Iowa, traversing the heart of the Midwest. Expect a straightforward trip, largely on the interstate, making it a convenient option for a quick journey. It's a single-day drive, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays, offering flexibility for your schedule.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

64.5 miles from West Branch, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 116.4 mi 2h 6m
John MacVicar Freeway 9.4 mi 12m
63rd Street 1.1 mi 2m
Vine Street 0.4 mi <1m
Parkside Drive 0.4 mi <1m
Main Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 116.4 mi, about 2h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Main Street

298 ft · 7 sec · Main Street
2

Turn right onto CR X30

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Parkside Drive
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec
4

Merge onto I 80

116 mi · 2 hr 6 min · I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 137A Toward I 235 West: Des Moines Use the slight left lane.
6

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.
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Exit 4 Toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Turn left onto IA 28

1.1 mi · 2 min · 63rd Street
9

Turn right onto Vine Street

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Vine Street
10

Arrive at destination

Vine Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 25 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your time at your destination, or in the afternoon to avoid any potential morning rush. With a fuel cost estimate of $20, it's a budget-friendly journey. Keep an eye on I 80 for any potential traffic delays, especially closer to the Des Moines metropolitan area. Since the longest stretch on the interstate is over 100 miles, you might want to plan a brief stop before or during that segment for a stretch or to refresh.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 64.5 miles from West Branch, IA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.4 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 28 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 64.5 miles or 1h 10m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 55m

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 West Branch, 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 West Branch, IA

This is one driving day of about 128.9 miles and 2h 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from West Branch, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 116.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brooklyn, IA

64 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

North Liberty, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brooklyn, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 64.5 miles from West Branch, 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 116.4 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 Serving Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Branch, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13196435484

Visit website

Los Agaves Mexican Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

0.3 mi

St. Kilda Collective

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Des Moines, Iowa

0.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Press Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 9.2

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+13198871500

Visit website

Kindred Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

2 mi

The Black Angel Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

2 mi

The Serving Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

West Branch, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13196435484

Visit website

Los Agaves Mexican Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 9.2

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13195192765

St. Kilda Collective

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 128.9

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+15157052030

Visit website

Paula's Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 128.9

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+15152773404

Cafe con Leche

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 119.7

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+15152628435

Visit website

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Inexpensiv mile 119.7

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+15152622775

Visit website

Brick Street Cafe, Bondurant, IA

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 110.5

Bondurant, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+15159676174

Visit website

Cracken's Grill

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 9.2

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13192597411

Visit website

Press Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 9.2

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+13198871500

Visit website

Kindred Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 9.2

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

The Black Angel Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 9.2

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+13193591848

Visit website

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 119.7

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+15156307000

Visit website

DAYDRINK

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 9.2

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

SweetDude Coffee & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 128.9

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+15155090915

Visit website

Java House Coffee Roasters - First Ave

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 9.2

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+13192482074

Visit website

Midnight Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 18.4

Tiffin, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13196262272

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 9.2

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 73.7

Grinnell, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 36.8

Williamsburg, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 9.2

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 55.3

Brooklyn, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 9.2

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+31880109500

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 9.2

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 9.2

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Paris Banh Mi Windsor Heights

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 128.9

Windsor Heights, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–7:30 pm

+15152778888

Visit website

University Library Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 128.9

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+15152550433

Visit website

Caramelcorn Shoppe/Smoothie Stop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 18.4

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+13196255568

Barrel House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 18.4

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13196262550

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 6

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 128.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | CR X30 / Parkside Drive

Turn right onto CR X30 / Parkside Drive

Navigation decision point

5
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
117.1 mi into trip | ~2h 7m 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
127.1 mi into trip | ~2h 20m 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
4
128.5 mi into trip | ~2h 24m in | Vine Street

Turn right onto Vine Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.15 one way

$40.30 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $22.13 $44.25
premium $4.89 $24.81 $49.61
diesel $5.61 $28.46 $56.92

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 45.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 38.7 0 $13.53 $6.19
Efficient EV 32.2 0 $11.28 $5.16
EV Truck/SUV 51.6 0 $18.05 $8.25

Gas CO2

45 kg

EV CO2

15 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 18, 2026

Origin

West Branch, IA

Late night in West Branch on Sunday

Local time

3:07 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

West Des Moines, IA

Late night in West Des Moines on Sunday

Local time

3:07 AM

CDT

Current temp

34°F

Clear

NW 13 mph 0% chance Live forecast

50°F

Brooklyn, IA

64 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

38 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

2h 25m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a highway-focused drive, with 98% of the route utilizing major roads like I 80 and John MacVicar Freeway. You'll experience a predominantly interstate environment, making for a consistent and predictable driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 116.4 miles on I 80, meaning you can settle in for a good portion of the drive without many deviations. While the majority is highway, there's a small percentage on local roads like 63rd Street, offering a brief change of pace.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116.4 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

2/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and John MacVicar Freeway. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CR X30 / Parkside Drive.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from West Branch, IA to West Des Moines, IA is easy. At 2h 25m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (CR X30 / Parkside Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 25m. Total distance: 128.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 116.4 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 0.1 miles (CR X30 / Parkside Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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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