How far is Emmetsburg, IA from West Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Emmetsburg, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 152 miles (244.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 117.1 miles (188.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 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.
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 43m.
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.
Human settlement in Webster County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Emmetsburg and West Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Emmetsburg and West Des Moines.
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1
Start on 8th Street
27 m · 8 sec · 8th Street
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2
Turn right onto Lawler Street
101 m · 14 sec · Lawler Street
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3
Turn left onto Main Street
1026 ft · 39 sec · Main Street
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4
Turn right onto Broadway Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Broadway Street
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5
Continue on 460th Avenue
13 mi · 18 min · 460th Avenue
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6
Continue on 220th Avenue
11.1 mi · 15 min · 220th Avenue
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7
Continue on Northwest 7th Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 7th Street
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8
Continue on 220th Avenue
11.5 mi · 16 min · 220th Avenue
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9
Continue on Marengo Avenue
2317 ft · 39 sec · Marengo Avenue
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10
Continue on North East Street
1.2 km · 1 min · North East Street
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11
Continue on Marengo Avenue
4.3 mi · 6 min · Marengo Avenue
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Marshall Avenue
2.3 mi · 3 min · Marshall Avenue
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13
Take the ramp left toward US 20 East
1749 ft · 48 sec
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14
Merge slight left
24.2 mi · 28 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 169
1966 ft · 57 sec
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16
Turn right onto Lainson Avenue
12.2 mi · 17 min · Lainson Avenue
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17
Turn left onto 360th Street
3.9 mi · 5 min · 360th Street
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18
Take the exit slight right
16.2 mi · 23 min
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19
Turn left onto 220th Street
3.7 mi · 5 min · 220th Street
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20
Take the exit slight right
2251 ft · 1 min
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21
Turn right onto H Avenue
11.4 mi · 16 min · H Avenue
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22
Continue on N Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · N Avenue
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23
Take the exit left toward IA 141 east: Urbandale
1677 ft · 46 sec
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24
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 19 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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25
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
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26
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
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27
Continue on Grimes Boulevard
3087 ft · 50 sec · Grimes Boulevard
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28
Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard
1.8 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
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29
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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30
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 4 min
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31
Keep slight left
2012 ft · 26 sec
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32
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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33
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
2.8 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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34
Take the exit slight right toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
2657 ft · 1 min
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35
Turn right onto 8th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 8th Street
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36
Turn left onto Vine Street
143 m · 13 sec · Vine Street
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Emmetsburg 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.
US 20 East
Merge slight left
24.2 mi · 00h 28m
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Emmetsburg and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near West Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Emmetsburg to West Des Moines?
The road trip is about 152 miles (244.7 km) and usually takes 02h 43m 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?
Otho is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.9 miles from Emmetsburg and 76.1 miles from West Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 117.1 miles (188.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.9 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 1:04 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.25 one way or $40.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Emmetsburg and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near West Des Moines.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Emmetsburg and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 117.12 mi (188.49 km).
#1 Emmetsburg
City in Palo Alto County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 3,667 |
| Coordinates | 43.1127400, -94.6830400 |
| Altitude | 377 |
| 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: 245 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.25 | $40.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.84 | $45.68 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.99 | $49.98 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $28.48 | $56.96 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.