How far is Fort Madison, IA from West Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Fort Madison, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 181.3 miles (291.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 140.9 miles (226.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 02m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Madison and West Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Madison and West Des Moines.
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1
Start on the route
19 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn right onto Avenue I
42 m · 11 sec · Avenue I
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3
Turn left onto Avenue H
1.5 km · 2 min · Avenue H
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4
Turn left onto 20th Street
1078 ft · 22 sec · 20th Street
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto Avenue L
1.3 mi · 2 min · Avenue L
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6
Continue on Old Highway 61
1602 ft · 27 sec · Old Highway 61
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7
Continue on Avenue O
2.1 mi · 3 min · Avenue O
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8
Turn straight
8.3 mi · 11 min
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9
Take the ramp right
2184 ft · 53 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
24.5 mi · 28 min · Avenue of the Saints
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11
Keep slight right
61.1 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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12
Continue straight
16.7 mi · 19 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward IA 92: Oskaloosa, Knoxville
2175 ft · 1 min
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14
Turn left onto A Avenue West
32.4 mi · 36 min · A Avenue West
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15
Turn right
575 ft · 7 sec
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16
Continue on State Highway 5
19.2 mi · 23 min · State Highway 5
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17
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
7.5 mi · 9 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward IA 28: Norwalk, Martensdale
3174 ft · 1 min
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19
Turn right
4.7 mi · 7 min
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20
Turn left onto Vine Street
2187 ft · 1 min · Vine Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Madison 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.
Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight right
61.1 mi · 01h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Fort Madison 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 Fort Madison to West Des Moines?
The road trip is about 181.3 miles (291.8 km) and usually takes 03h 02m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Ottumwa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.5 miles from Fort Madison and 90.7 miles from West Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 140.9 miles (226.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.13 one way or $48.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Fort Madison and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near West Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Ottumwa
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 Ottumwa.
Ottumwa station
Mount Pleasant
Fort Madison station
La Plata
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Madison and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 140.88 mi (226.72 km).
#1 Fort Madison
City and county seat in Lee County, Iowa
| Population | 10,263 |
| Coordinates | 40.6297600, -91.3151500 |
| Altitude | 161 |
| 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: 292 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.13 | $48.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.22 | $54.44 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.79 | $59.57 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.95 | $67.89 |
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.