How far is Central City, IA from West Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Central City, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 145.8 miles (234.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 120.5 miles (194 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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 02h 27m.
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.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Central City and West Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central City and West Des Moines.
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1
Start on Main Street
1254 ft · 51 sec · Main Street
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2
Continue on West Maple Street
911 ft · 33 sec · West Maple Street
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3
Turn left onto Marion Road
13 mi · 16 min · Marion Road
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4
Turn right
15.2 mi · 19 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
1.2 km · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left onto 16th Avenue Southwest
2.4 mi · 3 min · 16th Avenue Southwest
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7
Continue on 73rd Street
24.4 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street
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8
Continue on Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
1818 ft · 46 sec
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10
Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi · 40 min · Marshalltown Boulevard
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11
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.1 km · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
4.5 mi · 6 min
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13
Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines
1 km · 1 min
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14
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
9.4 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights
1348 ft · 35 sec
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16
Turn left onto 63rd Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · 63rd Street
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17
Turn right onto Vine Street
2147 ft · 59 sec · Vine Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Central City and West Des Moines.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Lincoln Highway
Continue on Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 00h 43m
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.
Sunny leaving Central City and 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 Central City to West Des Moines?
The road trip is about 145.8 miles (234.6 km) and usually takes 02h 27m 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?
Toledo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.1 miles from Central City and 73.7 miles from West Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 120.5 miles (194 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.3 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 1:36 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.38 one way or $38.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Central City and Sunny near West Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Toledo
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 Toledo.
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Central City and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 120.54 mi (193.99 km).
#1 Central City
City in Iowa, USA
| Population | 1,296 |
| Coordinates | 42.2038800, -91.5240600 |
| Altitude | 254 |
| 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: 235 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.38 | $38.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.86 | $43.72 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.92 | $47.84 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $27.26 | $54.53 |
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 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.