How far is Fort Dodge, IA from West Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Fort Dodge, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 102 miles (164.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 67.8 miles (109.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 19m 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 01h 39m.
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 Yell Township, Boone County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Dodge and West Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Dodge and West Des Moines.
-
1
Start on 8th Avenue South
8 m · 7 sec · 8th Avenue South
-
2
Turn left onto South 22nd Street
904 ft · 31 sec · South 22nd Street
-
3
Turn slight left onto 6th Avenue South
94 m · 6 sec · 6th Avenue South
-
4
Continue on South 21st Street
112 m · 20 sec · South 21st Street
-
5
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
1.1 km · 2 min · 5th Avenue South
-
6
Continue on East Kenyon Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · East Kenyon Road
-
7
Turn left
15.4 mi · 21 min
-
8
Turn left onto 360th Street
3.9 mi · 5 min · 360th Street
-
9
Take the exit slight right
16.2 mi · 23 min
-
10
Turn left onto 220th Street
3.7 mi · 5 min · 220th Street
-
11
Take the exit slight right
2251 ft · 1 min
-
12
Turn right onto H Avenue
11.4 mi · 16 min · H Avenue
-
13
Continue on N Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · N Avenue
-
14
Take the exit left toward IA 141 east: Urbandale
1677 ft · 46 sec
-
15
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 19 min · Northwest Granger Drive
-
16
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
-
17
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
-
18
Continue on Grimes Boulevard
3087 ft · 50 sec · Grimes Boulevard
-
19
Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard
1.8 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward I-35 south, I-80 west: Kansas City, Council Bluffs
1.1 km · 1 min
-
21
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 4 min
-
22
Keep slight left
2012 ft · 26 sec
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward I 235 East: West Des Moines, Des Moines
2327 ft · 57 sec · Ramp 72 I
-
24
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
2.8 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway
-
25
Take the exit slight right toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
2657 ft · 1 min
-
26
Turn right onto 8th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 8th Street
-
27
Turn left onto Vine Street
143 m · 13 sec · Vine Street
-
28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Dodge 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.
360th Street
Take the exit slight right
16.2 mi · 00h 23m
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 Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge to West Des Moines?
The road trip is about 102 miles (164.1 km) and usually takes 01h 39m 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?
Ogden is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.4 miles from Fort Dodge and 58.6 miles from West Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 67.8 miles (109.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.2 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 3:10 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.58 one way or $27.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fort Dodge and Sunny near West Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Ogden
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 Ogden.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Dodge and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 67.77 mi (109.06 km).
#1 Fort Dodge
City in Iowa
| Population | 23,906 |
| Coordinates | 42.4974700, -94.1680200 |
| Altitude | 340 |
| 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: 164 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $13.58 | $27.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $15.31 | $30.62 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $16.75 | $33.51 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $19.09 | $38.19 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.