Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from West Des Moines, IA to Osceola County, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 50m
Distance
217.6 mi
350 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 37m
★
6 AM
4h 50m
8 AM
5h 17m
10 AM
4h 59m
12 PM
4h 57m
3 PM
5h 1m
5 PM
5h 16m
8 PM
4h 42m
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
Osceola County, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
West Des Moines, IA to Osceola County, IA is 217.6 miles and takes about 4h 50m via US 20 and US 59, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing the state of Iowa on a mix of highways and surface roads. It's a straightforward drive, ideal if you're looking for a direct path with minimal fuss. Plan for a single day to cover the distance comfortably, keeping your budget in mind for gas.
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
108.8 miles from West Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 60.9 mi | 1h 10m |
| Northwest Granger Drive | 15.6 mi | 18m |
| US 59 | 13.6 mi | 18m |
| Silver Avenue | 13.5 mi | 19m |
| Roosevelt Avenue | 13 mi | 17m |
| Lainson Avenue | 12.3 mi | 16m |
| D Avenue | 12.1 mi | 16m |
| H Avenue | 11.6 mi | 16m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 60.9 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines, IA and Osceola County, 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
12 mi
·
16 min
·
H Avenue
16
Take the exit onto US 169
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
US 169
17
Merge onto US 30; US 169
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
220th Street
18
Turn right onto US 169
12 mi
·
16 min
·
D Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on US 169
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Paragon Avenue
20
Turn left onto US 169
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
360th Street
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto US 169
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Lainson Avenue
22
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Toward US 20 West
23
Merge onto US 20
61 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
US 20
24
Turn right onto CR M27
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Armstrong Avenue
25
Continue on CR M27
9.2 mi
·
12 min
·
20th Avenue
26
Turn left onto IA 7
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 7
27
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 7
28
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Street
29
Continue on IA 7
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
V Avenue
30
Turn left onto IA 3
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
State Highway 3
31
Turn straight onto IA 3
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
530th Street
32
Turn right onto IA 3
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 3
33
Turn right onto US 59
14 mi
·
18 min
·
US 59
34
Turn left onto US 59; IA 10
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
470th Street
35
Continue on US 59; IA 10
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Silver Avenue
Use the left lane.
36
Continue on US 59
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Rerick Avenue
37
Continue on US 59
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Silver Avenue
38
Turn left onto US 18; US 59
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
320th Street
39
Turn right onto US 59
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Roosevelt Avenue
40
Turn right onto 190th Street
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
190th Street
41
Turn left onto Silver Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Silver Avenue
42
Arrive at destination
Silver Avenue
Trip Plan
This is a single-day trip, so leaving in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach Osceola County without feeling rushed. With a 4h 50m estimated drive time, you'll want to plan for at least one brief stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when you're on the surface road sections, as services might be less frequent than on major interstates. The estimated fuel cost of $35 should help you budget accordingly for the 217.6-mile drive.
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 108.8 miles from West Des Moines, IA, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.9 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 48 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.8 miles or 2h 23m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Osceola County, 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 217.6 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 US 20 for about 60.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 108.8 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 US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's
0.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 245 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 48.4 — 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
6
48.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
US 169 / D Avenue
Turn right onto US 169 / D Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.30 one way
$72.60 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $39.45 | $78.90 |
| premium | $5.26 | $45.05 | $90.11 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $52.94 | $105.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.3 | 0 | $22.85 | $10.44 |
| Efficient EV | 54.4 | 0 | $19.04 | $8.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87 | 1 | $30.46 | $13.93 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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.
Origin
West Des Moines, IA
Morning in West Des Moines on Monday
Local time
8:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Sunny
S 5 to 14 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Osceola County, IA
Morning in Osceola County on Monday
Local time
8:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
SSW 15 to 20 mph
0% chance
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
2 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
4h 50m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
About 40% of this route is on highways, meaning you'll experience some dedicated interstate cruising. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 60.9 miles, primarily on US 20. You'll transition from these faster roads to surface roads, so expect changes in speed limits and traffic patterns. This mix means you'll encounter both open-road driving and more local traffic as you progress.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.9 mi on US 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 217.6 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,564 ft
825 ft
Total Climb
912 ft
Total Descent
173 ft
Highest Point
1,564 ft
~217.6 mi in
Elevation Range
739 ft
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 Osceola County, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Adel along the way.
Adel
30.2 mi in
|
~39m
About the Cities
Starting in West Des Moines, IA
Full guide →Founded 1893
West Des Moines is a small city in Central Iowa, the largest suburb of Des Moines.
Arriving in Osceola County, IA
Full guide →Founded 1871
Western Iowa is in the United States of America.
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 4h 50m. Total distance: 217.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.9 miles on US 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 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 Osceola County, 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 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Osceola County, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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