How far is Baxter, IA from West Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Baxter, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 40.1 miles (64.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 33.6 miles (54.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 44m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Polk County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Baxter and West Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Baxter and West Des Moines.
-
1
Start on South Main Street
2218 ft · 2 min · South Main Street
-
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Buchanan Street
796 ft · 16 sec · Buchanan Street
-
3
Continue on Highway F17 West
4.8 mi · 8 min · Highway F17 West
-
4
Continue on County Highway F17
2.9 mi · 5 min · County Highway F17
-
5
Turn right onto State Highway 117
105 m · 6 sec · State Highway 117
-
6
Continue straight
834 ft · 20 sec
-
7
Take the ramp left toward US 65 south, IA 330 south: Des Moines
14.6 mi · 18 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
4.5 mi · 6 min
-
9
Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines
1 km · 1 min
-
10
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
9.4 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights
1348 ft · 35 sec
-
12
Turn left onto 63rd Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · 63rd Street
-
13
Turn right onto Vine Street
2147 ft · 59 sec · Vine Street
-
14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Baxter and West Des Moines.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 65 south
Take the ramp left toward US 65 south, IA 330 south: Des Moines
14.6 mi · 00h 18m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Partly Sunny leaving Baxter and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near West Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Baxter to West Des Moines?
The road trip is about 40.1 miles (64.5 km) and usually takes 00h 44m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bondurant is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.6 miles from Baxter and 20.4 miles from West Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 33.6 miles (54.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:00 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.35 one way or $10.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Baxter and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near West Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Bondurant
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bondurant.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Baxter and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 33.61 mi (54.09 km).
#1 Baxter
Human settlement in Jasper County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 1,132 |
| Coordinates | 41.8261000, -93.1515900 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| Country | United States |
#2 West Des Moines
The most populous city in Dallas County, Iowa.
| Population | 69,057 |
| Coordinates | 41.5772100, -93.7113300 |
| Altitude | 252 |
| Country | United States |
End: Vine Street (-93.71133, 41.577301)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 65 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.35 | $10.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.04 | $12.08 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.61 | $13.22 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.53 | $15.06 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Iowa · May 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.