West Des Moines, IA Road Trips
With 8 routes heading out and 3 heading in, West Des Moines, IA works well as a modest departure point in the Midwest. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 12-mile quick runs to 250-mile cross-state drives. Routes from West Des Moines, IA spread mainly west and east, covering a wide geographic range.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
11
Longest Drive
263.1 mi
George, IA
Quickest Drive
26m
Levey, IA
Plan Around West Des Moines, IA
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if West Des Moines, IA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From West Des Moines, IA
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from West Des Moines, IA
West Des Moines, IA to Rock Valley, IA
West Des Moines, IA to Orange City, IA
West Des Moines, IA to Sibley, IA
West Des Moines, IA to Osceola County, IA
West Des Moines, IA to Bridgeport, IA
West Des Moines, IA to Maquoketa, IA
West Des Moines, IA to Indianola, IA
West Des Moines, IA to Levey, IA
Driving from West Des Moines, IA
The typical drive from West Des Moines, IA covers about 171 miles and takes around 3h 28m. There is a healthy spread of short hops, medium drives, and longer road trips to pick from. The longest mapped route runs 250 miles (4h 58m), while the shortest is just 12 miles.
Popular Destinations
Drivers leaving West Des Moines, IA most often head toward Rock Valley, IA (249.5 mi, 4h 49m), Orange City, IA (235.9 mi, 4h 24m), Sibley, IA (224.1 mi, 4h 58m), Osceola County, IA (217.6 mi, 4h 50m), and Bridgeport, IA (206.7 mi, 3h 54m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in IA currently averages around $3.9 per gallon. For the typical 171-mile trip from West Des Moines, IA, budget about $26 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
Most routes head west — leaving in the morning keeps the sun behind you for a more comfortable drive. Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 8 mapped routes leaving West Des Moines, IA and 3 routes heading into West Des Moines, IA, covering 11 total connections. Distances range from 12 to 250 miles.
The longest mapped route from West Des Moines, IA covers 250 miles and takes approximately 4h 58m. Shorter options start at just 12 miles.
The average route from West Des Moines, IA runs about 171 miles with a drive time of roughly 3h 28m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.9/gallon for regular), the average 171-mile trip from West Des Moines, IA costs roughly $26 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from West Des Moines, IA include Rock Valley, IA, Orange City, IA, Sibley, IA and Osceola County, IA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
West Des Moines, IA by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
69,893
Median Income
$84,925
Median Home Value
$286,300
Median Age
36.5
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
West Des Moines, IA at a Glance
Founded
1893
Elevation
955 ft
Area
39 mi²
Notable People from West Des Moines, IA
A sampling of people born in West Des Moines, IA.
Peter Hedges
1962
American novelist, screenwriter, film director
City data from Wikidata (Q923861), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to West Des Moines, IA
West Des Moines is a small city in Central Iowa, the largest suburb of Des Moines.
Lexi Faust Home. (updated Oct 2020) 1 Jordan House. Underground railroad stop. (updated Oct 2020)
1 Walnut Woods State Park. (updated Oct 2020) 2 Des Moines Menace, Valley Stadium, 4440 Mills Civic Pkwy, ☏ +1 515-226-9890. Semi-professional soccer team, family friendly games. $10.
Drury Inn & Suites West Des Moines, 5505 Mills Civic Pkwy. Complimentary hot dogs some nights. +1 515-457-9500
Travel tips adapted from West Des Moines on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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