How far is Centerville, IA from West Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Centerville, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 48.7 miles (78.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 37.5 miles (60.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 02m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Centerville and West Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Centerville and West Des Moines.
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1
Start on Leaf Road
1.4 km · 4 min · Leaf Road
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2
Turn left onto 188th Road
1 mi · 2 min · 188th Road
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3
Continue on Mallard Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · Mallard Avenue
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4
Keep slight left to continue on Mallard Avenue
50 m · 3 sec · Mallard Avenue
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5
Continue on West 12th Street
1.6 km · 2 min · West 12th Street
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6
At the end of the road, turn right onto Marion Street
2912 ft · 1 min · Marion Street
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7
Turn left onto West Mamie Eisenhower Avenue
1331 ft · 27 sec · West Mamie Eisenhower Avenue
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8
Continue on West 3rd Street
1356 ft · 27 sec · West 3rd Street
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9
Continue on Mamie Eisenhower Avenue
3 mi · 5 min · Mamie Eisenhower Avenue
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10
Continue on 210th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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11
Turn right onto Robin Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Robin Road
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12
Turn right onto S Avenue
12.3 mi · 18 min · S Avenue
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13
Continue on State Highway 17
1284 ft · 21 sec · State Highway 17
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14
Continue on Y Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Y Avenue
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15
Continue on State Highway 17
1387 ft · 22 sec · State Highway 17
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16
Continue on Northwest 142nd Street
5.6 mi · 8 min · Northwest 142nd Street
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Northwest 142nd Street
34 m · 2 sec · Northwest 142nd Street
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Northwest 142nd Street
2470 ft · 43 sec · Northwest 142nd Street
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19
Take the ramp straight
1.4 km · 2 min
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20
Merge slight left onto Northwest Granger Drive
1.5 mi · 2 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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21
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
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22
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
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23
Continue on Grimes Boulevard
3087 ft · 50 sec · Grimes Boulevard
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24
Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard
1.8 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
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25
Take the exit slight right toward I-35 south, I-80 west: Kansas City, Council Bluffs
1.1 km · 1 min
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26
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 4 min
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27
Keep slight left
2012 ft · 26 sec
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28
Take the exit slight right toward I 235 East: West Des Moines, Des Moines
2327 ft · 57 sec · Ramp 72 I
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29
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
2.8 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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30
Take the exit slight right toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
2657 ft · 1 min
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31
Turn right onto 8th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 8th Street
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32
Turn left onto Vine Street
143 m · 13 sec · Vine Street
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Centerville and West Des Moines.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
S Avenue
Turn right onto S Avenue
12.3 mi · 00h 18m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Centerville and Mostly 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 Centerville to West Des Moines?
The road trip is about 48.7 miles (78.3 km) and usually takes 01h 02m 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?
Madrid is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.5 miles from Centerville and 25.2 miles from West Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 37.5 miles (60.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.2 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:24 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.77 one way or $13.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Centerville and Mostly Sunny near West Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Madrid
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 Madrid.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Centerville and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 37.44 mi (60.26 km).
#1 Centerville
Centerville is a place in Iowa, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 42.0927600, -93.9355100 |
| Altitude | 279 |
| 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: 78 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.94 | $6.77 | $13.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.28 | $7.36 | $14.71 |
| Premium | $4.84 | $8.32 | $16.64 |
| Diesel | $6.01 | $10.34 | $20.67 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026