How far is Britt, IA from West Des Moines, IA?

The driving distance from Britt, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 127.3 miles (204.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 105.1 miles (169.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
127.34 mi
02h 08m
Flight
105.16 mi
169.24 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Britt.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
105.16 mi
Kilometers
169.24 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
127.34 mi
Kilometers
204.93 km
Drive Time
02h 08m

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 02h 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Des Moines
Sat, Apr 18, 3:03 AM CDT
Return by in Britt
Sat, Apr 18, 5:11 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Britt
2026-04-18T00:54
Arrive West Des Moines
Sat, Apr 18, 3:03 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:09 AM to 12:09 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Britt
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Ellsworth
IA

City in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States

From Britt
63.3 mi
01h 04m
To West Des Moines
64.1 mi
01h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
45°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 23 mph NW
Destination
50°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 20 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Britt and West Des Moines.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Britt and West Des Moines.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Avenue North

    1680 ft · 38 sec · Main Avenue North

  2. 2

    Turn right onto US Highway 18

    9.5 mi · 13 min · US Highway 18

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Sage Avenue

    26.7 mi · 37 min · Sage Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left

    15 mi · 21 min

  5. 5

    Turn left onto 190th Street

    3.4 mi · 6 min · 190th Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp right toward Somerset Road

    2433 ft · 59 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    59 mi · 1 hr 4 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 235 West: Des Moines

    1.4 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    9.4 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights

    1348 ft · 35 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto 63rd Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · 63rd Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Vine Street

    2147 ft · 59 sec · Vine Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Britt and West Des Moines.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
13 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Somerset Road
59.5 mi · 47%
Sage Avenue
26.7 mi · 21%
US Highway 18
9.51 mi · 7%
John MacVicar Freeway
9.38 mi · 7%
190th Street
3.41 mi · 3%
63rd Street
1.14 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Somerset Road

Merge slight left

59 mi · 01h 04m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.2 mi
105.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ellsworth
01h 04m from Britt
Leave By
2:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Britt and Chance Rain Showers near West Des Moines.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Britt to West Des Moines?

The road trip is about 127.3 miles (204.9 km) and usually takes 02h 08m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Ellsworth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63.3 miles from Britt and 64.1 miles from West Des Moines.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 105.1 miles (169.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.93 one way or $33.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Britt and Chance Rain Showers near West Des Moines.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Britt and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 105.16 mi (169.24 km).

Britt

#1 Britt

Human settlement in Hancock County, Iowa, United States of America

Population1,928
Coordinates43.0977400, -93.8018900
Altitude374
CountryUnited States
West Des Moines

#2 West Des Moines

The most populous city in Dallas County, Iowa.

Population69,057
Coordinates41.5772100, -93.7113300
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Start: Main Avenue North (-93.801819, 43.097741)
End: Vine Street (-93.71133, 41.577301)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 205 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 07m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.49 gal
17.01 L · about $16.93
Round trip
$33.86
8.98 gal · 34.02 L
Estimated CO2
39.9 kg one way
Round trip: 79.8 kg / 176 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.93 $33.86
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.10 $38.19
Premium $4.65 $20.90 $41.79
Diesel $5.30 $23.81 $47.63

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 · Apr 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Britt and West Des Moines. The current time is 00:54:40.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.