Traveling from West Des Moines to Burlington covers 173.3 miles, making for a straightforward 3 hour and 25 minute journey across the Iowa landscape. Because this is a highway-focused drive, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $26 on fuel to complete the trek. By utilizing IA 163, IA 5, and US 34, you stay on well-traveled paths that keep your travel time predictable. This route is an ideal choice if you are looking for an efficient way to traverse the Midwest region from west to east.
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
86.7 miles from West Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
IA 163
77.6 mi
1h 29m
IA 5
51.3 mi
58m
US 34
27 mi
32m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
8.1 mi
9m
Southwest 63rd Street
2.5 mi
4m
Avenue of the Saints
2.3 mi
2m
State Highway 28
2.2 mi
3m
North Central Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
IA 163
— 77.6 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines, IA and Burlington, IA.
1
Start on Vine Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Vine Street
2
Turn right onto IA 28
2.5 mi·4 min·Southwest 63rd Street;1st Street
3
Continue on IA 28
2.2 mi·3 min·State Highway 28
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
5
Merge onto IA 5
8.1 mi·9 min·Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto IA 5
19 mi·22 min·IA 5
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
7
Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92
32 mi·36 min·IA 5; IA 92
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
9
Merge onto IA 163
78 mi·1 hr 29 min·IA 163
10
Merge onto US 34; US 218; IA 27; IA 163
2.3 mi·2 min·Avenue of the Saints
11
Take the exit onto US 34; IA 163
0.3 mi·32 sec·US 34; IA 163
Exit 42Toward US 34 East, 163 East: Mount Pleasant, Burlington
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 34; IA 163
27 mi·31 min·US 34; IA 163
Exit 42Toward US 34 East, IA 163 East: Burlington
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 262BToward Central Ave
14
Turn right onto North Central Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·North Central Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
South Central Avenue
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under four hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While the route is short enough to drive in one go, scheduling at least one stop is recommended to break up the 173.3-mile distance and stay refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge when leaving West Des Moines, as setting aside $26 for gas will comfortably cover your transit costs. Given the highway-heavy nature of the route, try to avoid peak commuting hours if you want to ensure a smoother exit from the metro area. Use the long 77.6-mile stretch on IA 163 as your primary window for steady driving before planning your mid-trip break.
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 86.7 miles from West Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.6 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 38 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.7 miles or 1h 43m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burlington, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving West Des Moines, 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 Des Moines, IA
This is one driving day of about 173.3 miles and 3h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from West Des Moines, 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 IA 163 for about 77.6 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 172.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.6 mi into trip|~9m in|IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Merge onto IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
13.8 mi into trip|~18m in|IA 5
Take the exit onto IA 5 toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
6
145.5 mi into trip|~2h 51m in|US 34; IA 163
Take the exit onto US 34; IA 163 toward US 34 East, 163 East: Mount Pleasant, Burlington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 42
Toward US 34 East, 163 East: Mount Pleasant, Bu...
7
145.7 mi into trip|~2h 51m in|US 34; IA 163
Keep slight right at fork onto US 34; IA 163 toward US 34 East, IA 163 East: Burlington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 42
Toward US 34 East, IA 163 East: Burlington
5
172.5 mi into trip|~3h 23m in
Take the exit toward Central Ave
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 262B
Toward Central Ave
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.09 one way
$54.19 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.75
$59.50
premium
$4.89
$33.35
$66.70
diesel
$5.61
$38.26
$76.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52
0
$18.20
$8.32
Efficient EV
43.3
0
$15.16
$6.93
EV Truck/SUV
69.3
0
$24.26
$11.09
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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
West Des Moines, IA
Night
in West Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
9:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Burlington, IA
Night
in Burlington on Saturday
Local time
9:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°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
1 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
3h 25m 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?
With 91% of the trip spent on highways, you should prepare for a consistent, high-speed pace behind the wheel. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on, covering 77.6 miles along IA 163. Transitioning between these major state and federal routes requires steady attention, though the drive remains focused on efficiency rather than technical curves. As you move away from the Des Moines area, the character of the road settles into a rhythmic highway cruise. You will find that the road quality remains reliable, allowing you to maintain steady progress toward Burlington throughout the duration of your trip.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.6 mi on IA 163.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IA 163 and IA 5. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in near IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway.
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 173.3 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 5.6 miles (IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.8 miles (IA 5): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 145.5 miles (US 34; IA 163): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from West Des Moines, IA to Burlington, IA, road signs begin pointing toward 163 East: Mount Pleasant along the way.
163 East: Mount Pleasant
145.5 mi in|~2h 51m|via US 34; IA 163
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 25m. Total distance: 173.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.6 miles on IA 163. 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 5.6 miles (IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.8 miles (IA 5): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 145.5 miles (US 34; IA 163): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Burlington, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
