How far is Jefferson, IA from West Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Jefferson, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 61.3 miles (98.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 45.7 miles (73.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 14m 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 01h 07m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Jefferson and West Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson and West Des Moines.
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1
Start on West Lincolnway Street
7 m · 2 sec · West Lincolnway Street
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2
Turn right onto South Elm Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Elm Street
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3
Continue on N Avenue
1.1 km · 55 sec · N Avenue
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4
Continue on South Elm Street
1927 ft · 30 sec · South Elm Street
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5
Continue on Neola Avenue
8.5 mi · 12 min · Neola Avenue
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6
Continue on State Highway 4
1.3 mi · 2 min · State Highway 4
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7
At the end of the road, turn left onto George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
2276 ft · 35 sec · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
17.3 mi · 24 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
16.5 mi · 20 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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10
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
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11
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
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12
Continue on Grimes Boulevard
3087 ft · 50 sec · Grimes Boulevard
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13
Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard
1.8 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I-35 south, I-80 west: Kansas City, Council Bluffs
1.1 km · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 4 min
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16
Keep slight left
2012 ft · 26 sec
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 235 East: West Des Moines, Des Moines
2327 ft · 57 sec · Ramp 72 I
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18
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
2.8 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
2657 ft · 1 min
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20
Turn right onto 8th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 8th Street
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21
Turn left onto Vine Street
143 m · 13 sec · Vine Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Jefferson 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.
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
Keep slight left to continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
17.3 mi · 00h 24m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Jefferson and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then 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 Jefferson to West Des Moines?
The road trip is about 61.3 miles (98.6 km) and usually takes 01h 07m 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?
Bouton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 30.6 miles from Jefferson and 30.7 miles from West Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 45.7 miles (73.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.6 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 4:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.15 one way or $16.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Jefferson and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near West Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Bouton
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 Bouton.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Jefferson and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 45.75 mi (73.63 km).
#1 Jefferson
City in Greene County, Iowa
| Population | 4,075 |
| Coordinates | 42.0152600, -94.3774700 |
| Altitude | 325 |
| 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: 99 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $8.15 | $16.29 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $9.19 | $18.37 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $10.05 | $20.11 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $11.46 | $22.91 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.