Best stops on I-235 in Iowa

All 18 exits ranked by what a road-tripper actually needs: real food choice, easy gas, 24-hour service, and the stops worth a detour. Winners below.

1. Exit 12 — East Euclid Avenue;Grand View University

Milepost 12 · 29 places to eat · 8 gas stations · 11 hotels · open 24 hours · ♥ Adventureland Resort, The Outlaw

2. Exit 8A — Downtown Des Moines;Iowa Events Center

Milepost 8 · 29 places to eat · 9 gas stations · 21 hotels · ♥ World Food Prize Hall of Laureates, Blank Park Zoo

3. Exit 1A — West Des Moines;50th Street

Milepost 1 · 29 places to eat · 11 gas stations · 16 hotels · ♥ Living History Farms

4. Exit 1B — West Des Moines;Valley West Drive

Milepost 1 · 29 places to eat · 10 gas stations · 12 hotels · ♥ Walnut Woods State Park

5. Exit 5B — 42nd Street;Art Center

Milepost 5 · 26 places to eat · 6 gas stations · 8 hotels · ♥ Des Moines Art Center, Salisbury House

6. Exit 2 — 22nd Street;West Des Moines;Clive

Milepost 2 · 29 places to eat · 12 gas stations · 10 hotels

7. Exit 3 — Windsor Heights;West Des Moines

Milepost 3 · 29 places to eat · 12 gas stations · 4 hotels

8. Exit 7 — Keo Way;MLK Jr Parkway;19th Street

Milepost 7 · 24 places to eat · 11 gas stations · 10 hotels

9. Exit 4 — 63rd Street;Windsor Heights

Milepost 4 · 29 places to eat · 9 gas stations · 6 hotels

10. Exit 7B — Keo Way;Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Milepost 7 · 23 places to eat · 9 gas stations · 10 hotels

← Every I-235 exit in Iowa