Origin
West Des Moines, IA
Late night in West Des Moines on Tuesday
Local time
5:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Des Moines, IA to Denison, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 28m
Distance
124.2 mi
200 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 18m
★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 49m
10 AM
2h 36m
12 PM
2h 34m
3 PM
2h 37m
5 PM
2h 48m
8 PM
2h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Denison, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 124.2-mile journey from West Des Moines, IA to Denison, IA is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 28 minutes. With 98% of the drive on highways, it’s a classic Midwest road trip focused on efficient travel. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $19, making it an economical choice for a day excursion. Since it's a relatively short distance within the same region and state, it’s perfectly suited for a single-day adventure without the need for an overnight stop. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, ensuring a consistent pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
62.1 miles from West Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 82 mi | 1h 27m |
| US 59 | 35.9 mi | 49m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| 8th Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| US 30 | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 73rd Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Vine Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 82 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines, IA and Denison, IA.
1
Start on Vine Street
468 ft
·
14 sec
·
Vine Street
2
Turn right onto 8th Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
8th Street
3
Continue on 73rd Street
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
73rd Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I-235 west
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 235
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
6
Merge onto I 80
82 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward US 59: Avoca, Harlan
8
Turn right onto US 59
36 mi
·
49 min
·
US 59
9
Turn slight right onto US 30
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 30
Toward US 30 East: Carroll
10
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
South Main Street
11
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 28-minute duration, this trip is ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You won't need to worry about long stretches without services, but it's always wise to keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 82-mile segment on I 80. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your time at your destination. With a fuel cost estimate of $19, planning for a fill-up before you leave West Des Moines or upon arrival in Denison is a practical step.
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 62.1 miles from West Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82 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 27 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.1 miles or 1h 9m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Denison, 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 124.2 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from West Des Moines, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 82 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 62.1 miles from West Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82 miles.
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 75 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 87 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
8th Street
Turn right onto 8th Street
Navigation decision point
6
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I-235 west
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-235 west
3
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Merge onto I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
87 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward US 59: Avoca, Harlan
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 59: Avoca, Harlan
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.42 one way
$38.83 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.32 | $42.64 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.90 | $47.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.42 | $54.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.3 | 0 | $13.04 | $5.96 |
| Efficient EV | 31.1 | 0 | $10.87 | $4.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.7 | 0 | $17.39 | $7.95 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Destination
Denison, IA
Late night in Denison on Tuesday
Local time
5:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
4 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 28m 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 highway-focused experience for nearly the entire 124.2 miles, as 98% of this route utilizes major roadways. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch on I 80, covering 82 miles. This means the drive is primarily characterized by consistent speeds and efficient travel, with minimal time spent on slower, local roads. The route is designed for getting from point A to point B effectively, offering a predictable driving experience.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US 59. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 8th Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from West Des Moines, IA to Denison, IA is easy. At 2h 28m 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 (8th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Denison, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Harlan along the way.
Harlan
87 mi in
|
~1h 35m
About the Cities
Starting in West Des Moines, IA
Full guide →West Des Moines is a small city in Central Iowa, the largest suburb of Des Moines.
Arriving in Denison, IA
Full guide →Denison is a city in Western Iowa.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 124.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82 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 (8th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Denison, 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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