Origin
West Des Moines, IA
Afternoon in West Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
2:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Des Moines, IA to Glidden, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 49m
Distance
78.8 mi
127 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 42m
★
6 AM
1h 50m
8 AM
2h 6m
10 AM
1h 55m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 5m
8 PM
1h 45m
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
Glidden, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Trip Overview
West Des Moines, IA to Glidden, IA is 78.8 miles and takes about 1 hour 49 minutes via 220th Street, Northwest Granger Drive, and 144 Diagonal, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, same-day trip entirely within Iowa, connecting two points in the Midwest. Expect a local driving experience with plenty of turns rather than long stretches of highway. It's a short enough drive that you can easily fit it into an afternoon, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.4 miles from West Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 220th Street | 20.5 mi | 28m |
| Northwest Granger Drive | 15.6 mi | 18m |
| 144 Diagonal | 6.9 mi | 9m |
| County Road N33 | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| 335th Street | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| I 80 | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| U Avenue | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Northwest 114th Street | 2.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 20.5 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines, IA and Glidden, 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
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
6
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 E
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
Ramp 72 E
Exit 123B
Toward I 35 North, I 80 East: Minneapolis, Chicago
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 80
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
I 80
Toward I-35 north, I-80 east: Chicago, Minneapolis
Use the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 127B
Toward IA 141 West: Grimes
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto IA 141
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast Grimes Boulevard
10
Continue on IA 141
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Grimes Boulevard
11
Continue on IA 141
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest 114th Street
12
Continue on IA 141
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Northwest Granger Drive
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward US 169: Ogden, Adel
14
Turn right onto US 169
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
N Avenue
15
Continue on US 169
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
H Avenue
16
Turn left onto 335th Street
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
335th Street
17
At end of road, turn left onto East Avenue
470 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Avenue
18
Continue on 335th Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
335th Street
19
Turn right onto IA 144
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
D Avenue
20
Turn straight onto IA 144
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
325th Street
21
Turn straight onto IA 144
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Apple Road
22
Continue on IA 144
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
144 Diagonal
23
Continue on IA 144
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
U Avenue
24
Continue on IA 144
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
·
West Main Street
25
Turn left onto IA 144
496 ft
·
16 sec
·
South 9th Street
26
Continue on IA 144
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
9th N Street
27
Turn left onto US 30
21 mi
·
28 min
·
220th Street
28
Continue on US 30
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
County Road N33
29
Turn left onto N44
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Colorado Street
30
Turn right onto East 2nd Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
East 2nd Street
31
Turn right onto North Idaho Street
60 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Idaho Street
32
Arrive at destination
North Idaho Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour 49 minute duration, this trip is ideal for a single day, and you can depart anytime that suits your schedule. There are no specific recommended stops, so you can decide on breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the turn-heavy nature of the route means you'll be making frequent adjustments. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, it's wise to ensure you have a full tank before leaving West Des Moines, as services might be less frequent on these local roads.
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 39.4 miles from West Des Moines, IA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.5 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 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.4 miles or 54m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glidden, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from West Des Moines, IA
This is one driving day of about 78.8 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 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 220th Street for about 20.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.4 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 30.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
8
4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
Ramp 72 E
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 E toward I 35 North, I 80 East: Minneapolis, Chicago
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 123B
Toward I 35 North, I 80 East: Minneapolis, Chic...
7
4.5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80 toward I-35 north, I-80 east: Chicago, Minneapolis
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-35 north, I-80 east: Chicago, Minneapo...
7
7.9 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the exit toward IA 141 West: Grimes
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 127B
Toward IA 141 West: Grimes
5
30.2 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the exit toward US 169: Ogden, Adel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 169: Ogden, Adel
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.32 one way
$24.64 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $13.53 | $27.05 |
| premium | $4.89 | $15.16 | $30.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.40 | $34.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.27 | $3.78 |
| Efficient EV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.90 | $3.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.5 | 0 | $11.03 | $5.04 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Glidden, IA
Afternoon in Glidden on Sunday
Local time
2:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Madrid, IA
39 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
3 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
1h 49m 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?
This route is characterized by its frequent turns, making it a more engaged local drive. With only a 7% highway share, you'll spend most of your time on county roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 20.5 miles on 220th Street. The road's personality shifts between these local arteries, offering a varied driving experience that requires attention to navigation rather than a focus on speed.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 20.5 mi on 220th Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 1.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.8 miles you will encounter 17 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 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles (Ramp 72 E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between West Des Moines, IA and Glidden, IA, road signs point toward Chicago, Minneapolis and Adel.
Chicago
4 mi in
|
~6m
|
via Ramp 72 E
Minneapolis
4.5 mi in
|
~7m
|
via I 80
Adel
30.2 mi in
|
~39m
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.
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 1h 49m. Total distance: 78.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 20.5 miles on 220th Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Glidden, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles (Ramp 72 E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Glidden, 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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