How far is Indianola, IA from West Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Indianola, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 22 miles (35.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 17.1 miles (27.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 27m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Warren and Polk counties in the U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Indianola and West Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Indianola and West Des Moines.
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1
Start on the route
24 m · 11 sec
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2
Turn left onto East 2nd Avenue
89 m · 9 sec · East 2nd Avenue
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3
Turn right onto South Jefferson Way
10.2 mi · 16 min · South Jefferson Way
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4
Continue on Southridge Boulevard
692 ft · 12 sec · Southridge Boulevard
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5
Take the ramp slight right
1765 ft · 43 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
5.6 mi · 6 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward IA 28: Norwalk, Martensdale
3174 ft · 1 min
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8
Turn right
4.7 mi · 7 min
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9
Turn left onto Vine Street
2187 ft · 1 min · Vine Street
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Indianola and West Des Moines.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
South Jefferson Way
Turn right onto South Jefferson Way
10.2 mi · 00h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Indianola 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 Indianola to West Des Moines?
The road trip is about 22 miles (35.4 km) and usually takes 00h 27m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Carlisle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11 miles from Indianola and 11 miles from West Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 17.1 miles (27.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.9 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:36 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.94 one way or $5.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Indianola and Chance Rain Showers near West Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Carlisle
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 Carlisle.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Indianola and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 17.11 mi (27.54 km).
#1 Indianola
City in Mississippi
| Population | 16,072 |
| Coordinates | 41.3580500, -93.5574400 |
| Altitude | 295 |
| 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: 35 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.94 | $5.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.32 | $6.63 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.63 | $7.26 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.14 | $8.27 |
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.