West Des Moines, IA to Rock Valley, IA is 249.5 miles and takes about 4h 49m via I 80, I 29, and US 20, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, traversing the heart of the Midwest. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a straightforward, efficient drive. Given the relatively short distance and time, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, with a modest fuel cost making it an economical choice.
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
124.8 miles from West Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
94.8 mi
1h 41m
I 29
72.2 mi
1h 17m
US 20
21.4 mi
25m
I 880
16.7 mi
17m
County Road K42
11.7 mi
16m
Eagle Avenue
11.5 mi
16m
Elmwood Avenue
7.8 mi
10m
John MacVicar Freeway
3.3 mi
4m
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 Rock Valley, 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
21 mi·25 min·US 20; US 75
12
Turn slight left
0.3 mi·48 sec
13
Continue on 3rd Street
0.2 mi·44 sec·3rd Street
14
Turn left onto Main Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Main Street
15
Turn right onto 5th Street
0.3 mi·1 min·5th Street
16
Continue on County Road K42
1.7 mi·2 min·County Road K42
17
At end of road, turn left onto CR C38
1.0 mi·1 min·County Road C38
18
Turn right onto CR K42
10.0 mi·13 min·County Road K42
19
Turn left onto CR C12
2.0 mi·3 min·110th Street
20
Turn right onto CR K30
0.3 mi·33 sec·County Road K30
21
Continue on CR K30
0.8 mi·1 min·Impala Avenue
22
Continue on CR K30
4.0 mi·5 min·Eagle Avenue
23
Continue on CR K30
0.5 mi·1 min·Maple Avenue
24
Continue on CR K30
7.5 mi·10 min·Eagle Avenue
25
Turn right onto CR B40; CR K30
1.0 mi·1 min·390th Street
26
Turn left onto CR K30
7.8 mi·10 min·Elmwood Avenue
27
Continue on CR K30
0.6 mi·1 min·16th Avenue
28
Turn left onto 15th Street
28 ft·1 sec·15th Street
29
Arrive at destination
15th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 49m drive, consider departing West Des Moines in the morning to allow ample time to reach Rock Valley without feeling rushed. With only one day recommended, you can plan for a single stop for fuel or a quick break. The longest stretch without major exits is on I 80 for nearly 95 miles, so ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment. The total fuel cost is estimated at $40, so factor that into your budget. Given the manageable duration, you have flexibility to adjust your departure time as needed.
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 124.8 miles from West Des Moines, IA, or about 2h 16m 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 55 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.8 miles or 2h 16m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rock Valley, 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 249.5 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 18
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
$41.62 one way
$83.24 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$45.41
$90.82
premium
$5.25
$51.60
$103.20
diesel
$6.28
$61.65
$123.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.9
0
$26.20
$11.98
Efficient EV
62.4
0
$21.83
$9.98
EV Truck/SUV
99.8
1
$34.93
$15.97
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Forecast as of Oct 22, 2026
Origin
West Des Moines, IA
Morning
in West Des Moines on Friday
Local time
6:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Clear
S 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Rock Valley, IA
Morning
in Rock Valley on Friday
Local time
6:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Clear
0 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
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
4h 49m 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 mostly highway, with 84% of the 249.5 miles on major roads like I 80 and I 29. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 94.8 miles on I 80 before transitioning to US 20. Expect a good amount of cruising with fewer surface street interruptions for a significant portion of the trip. The latter part of the drive will involve more exits and potentially a change in road conditions as you move from interstate to US highway.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 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 18 significant decision points across 249.5 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
1,453 ft825 ft
Total Climb
1,107 ft
Total Descent
685 ft
Highest Point
1,453 ft
~231.7 mi in
Elevation Range
628 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 Rock Valley, IA, road signs point toward Sioux City and Le Mars.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 49m. Total distance: 249.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). 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 Rock Valley, 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 4.8 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 Rock Valley, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
