West Des Moines to Orange City is 235.9 miles and takes about 4h 24m via I 80, I 29, and US 20, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, primarily traversing Iowa. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making for a straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop and a total duration under five hours, this route is well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
117.9 miles from West Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
94.8 mi
1h 41m
I 29
72.2 mi
1h 17m
US 20
30.1 mi
36m
I 880
16.7 mi
17m
IA 60
10.4 mi
12m
County Road K64
3.7 mi
5m
John MacVicar Freeway
3.3 mi
4m
Albany Avenue
1.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 94.8 mi, about 1h 41m
Traffic on I-29
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,200 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,491
Quietest
2 AM
~75 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines, IA and Orange City, 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 westUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 235
3.3 mi·4 min·John MacVicar Freeway
6
Merge onto I 80
95 mi·1 hr 41 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
17 mi·17 min·I 880
Exit 27Toward I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux CityUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 0BToward I 29 North: Sioux City
9
Merge onto I 29
72 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 29
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward US 20 East, US 75 North: Fort Dodge, Le Mars
11
Merge onto US 20; US 75
30 mi·36 min·US 20; US 75
12
Continue on IA 60
10 mi·12 min·IA 60
Toward IA 60 North: SheldonUse the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto County Road K64
3.7 mi·5 min·County Road K64
14
Continue on Albany Place
0.5 mi·52 sec·Albany Place
15
Continue on Albany Avenue
1.2 mi·3 min·Albany Avenue
16
Turn left onto 2nd Street Northeast
430 ft·20 sec·2nd Street Northeast
17
Arrive at destination
2nd Street Northwest
Trip Plan
Given the under five-hour drive time, departing West Des Moines in the morning allows ample time to reach Orange City before evening. You'll have a single recommended stop, so plan your break strategically along I 80 or I 29. The fuel cost is estimated at $37, so ensure your tank is full before you begin or at your chosen stop. Since this is a relatively short, single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time and how you pace yourself. Keep an eye out for the transition from interstate to US 20, as this marks the shift away from constant highway driving.
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 117.9 miles from West Des Moines, IA, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.8 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 52 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.9 miles or 2h 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 3h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Orange City, 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 235.9 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 I 80 for about 94.8 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 189.2 — 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
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.
9
99.9 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|I 880
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880 toward I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 27
Toward I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux City
6
116.5 mi into trip|~2h 7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 29 North: Sioux City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 0B
Toward I 29 North: Sioux City
5
189.2 mi into trip|~3h 25m in
Take the exit toward US 20 East, US 75 North: Fort Dodge, Le Mars
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 20 East, US 75 North: Fort Dodge, Le...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.43 one way
$76.86 round trip
$4.14/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.44
$41.25
$82.51
premium
$5.03
$46.72
$93.43
diesel
$6.07
$56.37
$112.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.8
0
$24.77
$11.32
Efficient EV
59
0
$20.64
$9.44
EV Truck/SUV
94.4
1
$33.03
$15.10
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
West Des Moines, IA
Morning
in West Des Moines on Monday
Local time
7:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Orange City, IA
Morning
in Orange City on Monday
Local time
7:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
4h 24m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 96% of the 235.9 miles on major roads. You'll encounter a long stretch of 94.8 miles on I 80 before transitioning to other highways. Expect a consistent cruising experience for the majority of the trip, with frequent exits for services and potential points of interest along the interstate corridors. The final portion of the drive will likely involve more surface road travel as you approach Orange City.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.8 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 29. 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 235.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.9 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,440 ft825 ft
Total Climb
1,048 ft
Total Descent
434 ft
Highest Point
1,440 ft
~235.9 mi in
Elevation Range
615 ft
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 Orange City, IA, road signs point toward Sioux City and Le Mars.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 24m. Total distance: 235.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.8 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Orange City, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.9 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Orange City, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
