How far is Des Moines, IA from Webster City, IA?

The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Webster City, IA is about 75.2 miles (121.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 61 miles (98.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 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.
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
75.22 mi
01h 27m
Flight
60.96 mi
98.11 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Des Moines.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
60.96 mi
Kilometers
98.11 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
75.22 mi
Kilometers
121.06 km
Drive Time
01h 27m

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 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Webster City
Fri, Apr 17, 11:40 PM CDT
Return by in Des Moines
Sat, Apr 18, 1:08 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Des Moines
2026-04-17T22:13
Arrive Webster City
Fri, Apr 17, 11:40 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:27 AM to 11:27 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Des Moines
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
Roland
IA

City in Iowa

From Des Moines
37.6 mi
00h 43m
To Webster City
37.6 mi
00h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Friday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 17 mph S
Destination
77°F
Friday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 to 23 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Webster City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Webster City.

  1. 1

    Start on East University Avenue

    147 m · 39 sec · East University Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn uturn onto East University Avenue

    2836 ft · 1 min · East University Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East 14th Street

    1908 ft · 58 sec · East 14th Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet

    1.3 km · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway

    4.8 mi · 6 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    54.3 mi · 59 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge

    1664 ft · 57 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    12.3 mi · 14 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 17 South

    2183 ft · 54 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Superior Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Superior Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto 2nd Street

    18 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Webster City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
12 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
John MacVicar Freeway
59.1 mi · 79%
US 20 West
12.6 mi · 17%
Superior Street
1.27 mi · 2%
US 69
0.81 mi · 1%
East University Avenue
0.63 mi · 1%
IA 17 South
0.41 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

John MacVicar Freeway

Continue straight

54.3 mi · 00h 59m

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
01h 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.2 mi
61 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Roland
00h 43m from Des Moines
Leave By
3:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Des Moines and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Webster City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Webster City?

The road trip is about 75.2 miles (121.1 km) and usually takes 01h 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?

Roland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.6 miles from Des Moines and 37.6 miles from Webster City.

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

The direct path is about 61 miles (98.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.2 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 3:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.99 one way or $19.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Des Moines and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Webster City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Webster City. Straight-line distance: 60.96 mi (98.11 km).

Des Moines

#1 Des Moines

The capital of Iowa.

Population212,312
Coordinates41.6005400, -93.6091100
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Webster City

#2 Webster City

City in Iowa

Population7,671
Coordinates42.4694200, -93.8160500
Altitude317
CountryUnited States
Start: Des Moines (-93.60911, 41.60054)
End: Webster City (-93.81605, 42.46942)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 121 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 15m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.65 gal
10.05 L · about $9.99
Round trip
$19.99
5.3 gal · 20.1 L
Estimated CO2
23.6 kg one way
Round trip: 47.1 kg / 104 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.99 $19.99
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.27 $22.54
Premium $4.65 $12.33 $24.67
Diesel $5.30 $14.06 $28.11

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 Des Moines and Webster City. The current time is 22:13:17.

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.