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

The driving distance from Clarksville, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 122.3 miles (196.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 99 miles (159.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 26m 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
122.33 mi
02h 13m
Flight
99.07 mi
159.44 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Clarksville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
99.07 mi
Kilometers
159.44 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
122.33 mi
Kilometers
196.87 km
Drive Time
02h 13m

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 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Des Moines
Sat, Apr 18, 4:45 AM CDT
Return by in Clarksville
Sat, Apr 18, 6:58 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Clarksville
2026-04-18T02:31
Arrive West Des Moines
Sat, Apr 18, 4:45 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:13 AM to 12:13 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:04 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Clarksville
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
Williams
IA

City in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States

From Clarksville
65.4 mi
01h 06m
To West Des Moines
57 mi
01h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
48°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
18 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 Clarksville and West Des Moines.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Superior Street

    11 m · 6 sec · East Superior Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    1 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on State Highway 188

    1.8 mi · 3 min · State Highway 188

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 210th Street

    6.5 mi · 9 min · 210th Street

  5. 5

    Continue on State Highway 3

    1 mi · 1 min · State Highway 3

  6. 6

    Continue on 210th Street

    7.4 mi · 10 min · 210th Street

  7. 7

    Continue on South Street

    1.7 mi · 3 min · South Street

  8. 8

    Continue on 210th Street

    1.8 mi · 2 min · 210th Street

  9. 9

    Continue on State Highway 3

    8.2 mi · 11 min · State Highway 3

  10. 10

    Continue on Central Avenue East

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Central Avenue East

  11. 11

    Continue on State Highway 3

    9 mi · 12 min · State Highway 3

  12. 12

    Continue on Balsam Avenue

    158 m · 13 sec · Balsam Avenue

  13. 13

    Take the ramp left toward Hampton, Clarion

    1610 ft · 39 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    77.8 mi · 1 hr 24 min

  15. 15

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

    1.4 km · 1 min

  16. 16

    Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    9.4 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  17. 17

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

    1348 ft · 35 sec

  18. 18

    Turn left onto 63rd Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · 63rd Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Vine Street

    2147 ft · 59 sec · Vine Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Clarksville 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
20 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Hampton
78.1 mi · 64%
State Highway 3
18.2 mi · 15%
210th Street
15.7 mi · 13%
John MacVicar Freeway
9.38 mi · 8%
Central Avenue East
2.09 mi · 2%
State Highway 188
1.79 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Hampton

Merge slight left

77.8 mi · 01h 24m

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 13m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.3 mi
99 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Williams
01h 06m from Clarksville
Leave By
2:04 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Clarksville 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 Clarksville to West Des Moines?

The road trip is about 122.3 miles (196.9 km) and usually takes 02h 13m 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?

Williams is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.4 miles from Clarksville and 57 miles from West Des Moines.

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

The direct path is about 99 miles (159.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.3 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 2:04 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.29 one way or $32.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Clarksville and Chance Rain Showers near West Des Moines.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Clarksville and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 99.07 mi (159.44 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Clarksville

City in Iowa

Population1,333
Coordinates42.7847000, -92.6676900
Altitude287
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: East Superior Street (-92.66769, 42.784675)
End: Vine Street (-93.71133, 41.577301)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 197 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.32 gal
16.34 L · about $16.29
Round trip
$32.58
8.64 gal · 32.68 L
Estimated CO2
38.4 kg one way
Round trip: 76.8 kg / 169 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.29 $32.58
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.37 $36.75
Premium $4.65 $20.11 $40.21
Diesel $5.30 $22.91 $45.83

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 Clarksville and West Des Moines. The current time is 02:31:44.

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.