Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
47.1 mi
76 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
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
Gilbert, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
This 47.1-mile drive from West Des Moines, IA to Gilbert, IA is a straightforward, one-day trip taking just over an hour. With no highway driving, expect a more local feel throughout. The estimated fuel cost is around $7, making it an economical choice for a short excursion. This route is perfect for a quick getaway or an easy addition to a longer Midwest journey. You'll navigate primarily on 4th Street, Grand Avenue, and 56th Street, experiencing the local landscape as you go.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 25.1 mi | 27m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 10.3 mi | 13m |
| Grand Avenue | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| East Riverside Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Dayton Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
| 170th Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| East 13th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 56th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines, IA and Gilbert, IA.
Start on Vine Street
Turn left onto 4th Street
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
Turn left onto 56th Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 235
Continue on I 35
Take the exit
Turn left onto East 13th Street
Turn right onto Dayton Avenue
Turn left onto East Riverside Road
At end of road, turn right onto US 69
Turn left onto CR E23
Continue on CR E23
Enter roundabout onto CR E23
Continue on CR E23
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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.
A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 23.6 miles from West Des Moines, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 46.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto 56th Street
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward I-235 east
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Enter roundabout onto CR E23 / Mathews Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Regular Gas
$7.36 one way
$14.73 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.08 | $16.17 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.06 | $18.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.40 | $20.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.95 | $2.26 |
| Efficient EV | 11.8 | 0 | $4.12 | $1.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.59 | $3.01 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (63% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in West Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
2:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
37°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Gilbert on Sunday
Local time
2:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' this route prioritizes navigating through towns and local roads rather than open highway. With a 0% highway share, you'll be engaged with frequent turns and transitions. The absence of a 'longest stretch' metric suggests a continuously varied journey, likely with numerous intersections and changes in speed. This type of drive offers a more intimate experience of the Iowa landscape, keeping you connected to the communities you pass through.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and John MacVicar Freeway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Grand Avenue.
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 47.1 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.6 miles (Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (56th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles: Navigation decision point.
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 Gilbert, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Usda Veterinary Labs along the way.
Usda Veterinary Labs
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 2m. Total distance: 47.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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