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

The driving distance from Hartley, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 196.7 miles (316.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 142.8 miles (229.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
196.69 mi
03h 25m
Flight
142.77 mi
229.76 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hartley.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
142.77 mi
Kilometers
229.76 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
196.69 mi
Kilometers
316.54 km
Drive Time
03h 25m

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 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Des Moines
Sat, Apr 18, 6:23 AM CDT
Return by in Hartley
Sat, Apr 18, 9:49 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hartley
2026-04-18T02:57
Arrive West Des Moines
Sat, Apr 18, 6:23 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:26 AM to 11:26 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:08 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hartley
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Knierim
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Hartley
98.2 mi
01h 42m
To West Des Moines
98.5 mi
01h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
47°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 25 mph NW
Destination
50°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 20 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 1st Street Southeast

    8 m · 3 sec · 1st Street Southeast

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Central Avenue

    1779 ft · 1 min · South Central Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 320th Street

    12.5 mi · 17 min · 320th Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto 180th Avenue

    2.8 mi · 4 min · 180th Avenue

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road B24

    1 mi · 1 min · County Road B24

  6. 6

    Continue on West 4th Street

    1 mi · 1 min · West 4th Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto 32nd Avenue West

    1341 ft · 25 sec · 32nd Avenue West

  8. 8

    Continue on 200th Avenue

    1.5 km · 1 min · 200th Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn left onto 360th Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · 360th Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto 11th Avenue Southwest

    1.5 mi · 2 min · 11th Avenue Southwest

  11. 11

    Continue on 215th Avenue

    13.4 mi · 18 min · 215th Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on 130th Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · 130th Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on County Highway 71

    1.1 mi · 2 min · County Highway 71

  14. 14

    Continue on 130th Avenue

    27.8 mi · 38 min · 130th Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on US 71

    1014 ft · 20 sec · US 71

  16. 16

    Take the exit left toward US 20 East: Fort Dodge

    1841 ft · 51 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    49.3 mi · 57 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward US 169

    1966 ft · 57 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Lainson Avenue

    12.2 mi · 17 min · Lainson Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left onto 360th Street

    3.9 mi · 5 min · 360th Street

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right

    16.2 mi · 23 min

  22. 22

    Turn left onto 220th Street

    3.7 mi · 5 min · 220th Street

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right

    2251 ft · 1 min

  24. 24

    Turn right onto H Avenue

    11.4 mi · 16 min · H Avenue

  25. 25

    Continue on N Avenue

    1.9 mi · 3 min · N Avenue

  26. 26

    Take the exit left toward IA 141 east: Urbandale

    1677 ft · 46 sec

  27. 27

    Continue on Northwest Granger Drive

    15.6 mi · 19 min · Northwest Granger Drive

  28. 28

    Continue on Northwest 114th Street

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street

  29. 29

    Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard

    1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard

  30. 30

    Continue on Grimes Boulevard

    3087 ft · 50 sec · Grimes Boulevard

  31. 31

    Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard

  32. 32

    Take the exit slight right toward I-35 south, I-80 west: Kansas City, Council Bluffs

    1.1 km · 1 min

  33. 33

    Merge slight left

    3.3 mi · 4 min

  34. 34

    Keep slight left

    2012 ft · 26 sec

  35. 35

    Take the exit slight right toward I 235 East: West Des Moines, Des Moines

    2327 ft · 57 sec · Ramp 72 I

  36. 36

    Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway

    2.8 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  37. 37

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

    2657 ft · 1 min

  38. 38

    Turn right onto 8th Street

    1 mi · 2 min · 8th Street

  39. 39

    Turn left onto Vine Street

    143 m · 13 sec · Vine Street

  40. 40

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
40 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
3 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 20 East
49.6 mi · 25%
130th Avenue
29.1 mi · 15%
360th Street
21.6 mi · 11%
Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 8%
215th Avenue
13.4 mi · 7%
320th Street
12.5 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

US 20 East

Merge slight left

49.3 mi · 00h 57m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 25m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+53.9 mi
142.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Knierim
01h 42m from Hartley
Leave By
10:08 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Snow Showers leaving Hartley and 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 Hartley to West Des Moines?

The road trip is about 196.7 miles (316.5 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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?

Knierim is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.2 miles from Hartley and 98.5 miles from West Des Moines.

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

The direct path is about 142.8 miles (229.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:08 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.17 one way or $52.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Snow Showers around Hartley and Chance Rain Showers near West Des Moines.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hartley and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 142.77 mi (229.76 km).

Hartley

#1 Hartley

Human settlement in O'Brien County, Iowa, United States of America

Population1,556
Coordinates43.1799700, -95.4769500
Altitude446
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: 1st Street Southeast (-95.47695, 43.179942)
End: Vine Street (-93.71133, 41.577301)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 317 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.94 gal
26.27 L · about $26.17
Round trip
$52.34
13.88 gal · 52.54 L
Estimated CO2
61.7 kg one way
Round trip: 123.4 kg / 272 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $26.17 $52.34
Mid-grade $4.25 $29.52 $59.03
Premium $4.65 $32.30 $64.60
Diesel $5.30 $36.81 $73.62

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 Hartley and West Des Moines. The current time is 02:57:47.

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.