How far is Guthrie Center, IA from West Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Guthrie Center, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 56.1 miles (90.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 41.5 miles (66.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 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.
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 00h 57m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Dallas County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Guthrie Center and West Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Guthrie Center and West Des Moines.
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1
Start on State Street
76 m · 6 sec · State Street
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2
Turn right onto South 5th Street
1801 ft · 30 sec · South 5th Street
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3
Continue on State Highway 25
10.8 mi · 16 min · State Highway 25
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4
Continue on State Highway 25
1.9 mi · 3 min · State Highway 25
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5
Turn right onto Pecan Avenue
1.6 km · 1 min · Pecan Avenue
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6
Continue on State Highway 25
1.1 km · 1 min · State Highway 25
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7
Take the ramp left
1768 ft · 43 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Grand Army of the Republic Highway
36 mi · 39 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on John MacVicar Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
2657 ft · 1 min
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11
Turn right onto 8th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 8th Street
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12
Turn left onto Vine Street
143 m · 13 sec · Vine Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Guthrie Center and West Des Moines.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Guthrie Center and Slight Chance Rain Showers near West Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Guthrie Center to West Des Moines?
The road trip is about 56.1 miles (90.3 km) and usually takes 00h 57m 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 28 miles from Guthrie Center and 28.1 miles from West Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 41.5 miles (66.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.6 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 4:36 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.47 one way or $14.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Guthrie Center and Slight Chance Rain Showers near West Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Dexter
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 Dexter.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Guthrie Center and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 41.48 mi (66.76 km).
#1 Guthrie Center
City in Iowa
| Population | 1,487 |
| Coordinates | 41.6772100, -94.5033000 |
| Altitude | 338 |
| 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: 90 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $7.47 | $14.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $8.42 | $16.84 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $9.21 | $18.43 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $10.50 | $21.00 |
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 · May 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.