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

The driving distance from Greenfield, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 54.8 miles (88.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 43.1 miles (69.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 52m 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
54.79 mi
00h 56m
Flight
43.15 mi
69.45 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Greenfield.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
43.15 mi
Kilometers
69.45 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
54.79 mi
Kilometers
88.17 km
Drive Time
00h 56m

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 00h 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Des Moines
Fri, Apr 17, 11:34 PM CDT
Return by in Greenfield
Sat, Apr 18, 12:31 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Greenfield
2026-04-17T22:38
Arrive West Des Moines
Fri, Apr 17, 11:34 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:56 AM to 10:56 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:38 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Greenfield
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
Dexter
IA

City in Dallas County, Iowa, United States

From Greenfield
27.5 mi
00h 28m
To West Des Moines
27.3 mi
00h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Friday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 22 mph SSW
Destination
80°F
Friday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 18 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Greenfield and West Des Moines.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Public Square

    96 m · 18 sec · Public Square

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South 1st Street

    546 ft · 29 sec · South 1st Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Southeast Kent Street

    2114 ft · 38 sec · Southeast Kent Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Southeast 6th Street

    1.5 km · 1 min · Southeast 6th Street

  5. 5

    Continue on State Highway 25

    12.3 mi · 17 min · State Highway 25

  6. 6

    Take the ramp right

    1768 ft · 43 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Grand Army of the Republic Highway

    36 mi · 39 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines

    2657 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Turn right onto 8th Street

    1 mi · 2 min · 8th Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Vine Street

    143 m · 13 sec · Vine Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Greenfield and West Des Moines.

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
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
36 mi · 66%
State Highway 25
12.6 mi · 23%
John MacVicar Freeway
3.32 mi · 6%
8th Street
1 mi · 2%
Southeast 6th Street
0.91 mi · 2%
Windsor Heights
0.5 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Grand Army of the Republic Highway

Merge slight left onto Grand Army of the Republic Highway

36 mi · 00h 39m

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
00h 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.7 mi
43.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dexter
00h 28m from Greenfield
Leave By
4:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Greenfield 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 Greenfield to West Des Moines?

The road trip is about 54.8 miles (88.2 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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?

Dexter is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.5 miles from Greenfield and 27.3 miles from West Des Moines.

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

The direct path is about 43.1 miles (69.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.7 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 4:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.28 one way or $14.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Greenfield and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near West Des Moines.

Stop Ideas Near Dexter

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Dexter, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Dexter.

RAIL

Creston

53 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Osceola

66 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Greenfield and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 43.15 mi (69.45 km).

Greenfield

#1 Greenfield

City in Iowa, United States; county seat of Adair County

Population1,812
Coordinates41.3052700, -94.4613500
Altitude418
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: Public Square (-94.461509, 41.305278)
End: Vine Street (-93.71133, 41.577301)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 88 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 49m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.93 gal
7.32 L · about $7.28
Round trip
$14.56
3.86 gal · 14.64 L
Estimated CO2
17.2 kg one way
Round trip: 34.3 kg / 76 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.28 $14.56
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.21 $16.42
Premium $4.65 $8.98 $17.96
Diesel $5.30 $10.24 $20.47

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 Greenfield and West Des Moines. The current time is 22:38:48.

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.