The Cost of Driving from Ames, Iowa to West Des Moines, Iowa

Are you planning a road trip from Ames, Iowa to West Des Moines, Iowa? As you prepare for your journey, it is important to consider the cost of your trip, especially the cost of gas and tolls. In this blog post, we'll explore the different routes you can take, the distance of each route, the time it takes, and the cost of each route based on current gas prices.

Route 1: I-35 South

The first and most straightforward route is taking I-35 South all the way to West Des Moines. This route is approximately 32.9 miles and should take around 35 minutes to complete. The cost of gas for this route is approximately $3.28, assuming a gas price of $2.50 per gallon and a car with an MPG of 29. You won't encounter any tolls on this route, so the total cost of the trip would be solely based on the cost of gas.

Distance: 32.9 miles

Time: 35 minutes

Cost: $3.28

Route 2: US-69 South

The second route is to take US-69 South all the way to West Des Moines. This route is approximately 38.5 miles and should take around 42 minutes to complete. The cost of gas for this route is approximately $3.88, assuming a gas price of $2.50 per gallon and a car with an MPG of 29. You won't encounter any tolls on this route either, so the total cost of the trip would be solely based on the cost of gas.

Distance: 38.5 miles

Time: 42 minutes

Cost: $3.88

Route 3: I-35 South and I-80 West

The third route is to take I-35 South and then switch to I-80 West to reach West Des Moines. This route is approximately 42.7 miles and should take around 45 minutes to complete. The cost of gas for this route is approximately $4.21, assuming a gas price of $2.50 per gallon and a car with an MPG of 29. In addition to the cost of gas, you will encounter a toll on this route for $1.90. Take this into consideration when planning your trip budget.

Distance: 42.7 miles

Time: 45 minutes

Cost: $4.21 (plus $1.90 for toll)

Route 4: US-30 West

The fourth and last route is to take US-30 West all the way to West Des Moines. This route is approximately 46.1 miles and should take around 61 minutes to complete. The cost of gas for this route is approximately $4.50, assuming a gas price of $2.50 per gallon and a car with an MPG of 29. This route doesn't include any tolls, so again, the total cost of the trip would be solely based on the cost of gas.

Distance: 46.1 miles

Time: 61 minutes

Cost: $4.50

Conclusion

As you can see from the routes we explored, the cost of driving from Ames, Iowa to West Des Moines, Iowa can vary depending on the route you take and whether or not you encounter tolls. The most straightforward route, I-35 South, is also the most cost-effective one in terms of gas. However, if you're willing to spend a bit more time on the road, the other routes offer interesting options that can save you money on gas or even provide a more scenic drive. Safe travels!