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

The driving distance from Manly, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 137 miles (220.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 121 miles (194.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 19m 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
136.95 mi
02h 09m
Flight
120.97 mi
194.68 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Manly.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
120.97 mi
Kilometers
194.68 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
136.95 mi
Kilometers
220.4 km
Drive Time
02h 09m

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 02h 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Des Moines
Thu, Apr 16, 4:33 AM CDT
Return by in Manly
Thu, Apr 16, 6:43 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Manly
2026-04-16T02:23
Arrive West Des Moines
Thu, Apr 16, 4:33 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:10 AM to 12:10 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:10 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Manly
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
Williams
IA

City in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States

From Manly
68.1 mi
01h 04m
To West Des Moines
68.8 mi
01h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Thursday

Patchy Fog then Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 12 mph SW
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    80 m · 22 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Broadway Street

    1206 ft · 55 sec · North Broadway Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East South Street

    2720 ft · 1 min · East South Street

  4. 4

    Continue on State Highway 9

    7.1 mi · 10 min · State Highway 9

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left

    1988 ft · 49 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    115.8 mi · 2 hr 5 min · Avenue of the Saints

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 235 West: Des Moines

    1.4 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    9.4 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights

    1348 ft · 35 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto 63rd Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · 63rd Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Vine Street

    2147 ft · 59 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 Manly and West Des Moines.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
12 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
116 mi · 85%
John MacVicar Freeway
9.38 mi · 7%
State Highway 9
7.5 mi · 5%
63rd Street
1.14 mi · 1%
I 235 West
0.87 mi · 1%
East South Street
0.52 mi
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

116 mi · 02h 05m

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
02h 09m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16 mi
121 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Williams
01h 04m from Manly
Leave By
2:10 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Patchy Fog then Sunny leaving Manly and Sunny near West Des Moines.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Manly to West Des Moines?

The road trip is about 137 miles (220.4 km) and usually takes 02h 09m 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?

Williams is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68.1 miles from Manly and 68.8 miles from West Des Moines.

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

The direct path is about 121 miles (194.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 16 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 2:10 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.21 one way or $36.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Sunny around Manly and Sunny near West Des Moines.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Manly and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 120.97 mi (194.68 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Manly

American city in Iowa

Population1,271
Coordinates43.2871800, -93.2021500
Altitude366
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: (-93.20215, 43.287365)
End: Vine Street (-93.71133, 41.577301)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 220 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 57m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.83 gal
18.29 L · about $18.21
Round trip
$36.43
9.66 gal · 36.58 L
Estimated CO2
42.9 kg one way
Round trip: 85.8 kg / 189 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.21 $36.43
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.54 $41.08
Premium $4.65 $22.48 $44.96
Diesel $5.30 $25.62 $51.24

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

There is no time difference between Manly and West Des Moines. The current time is 02:23:58.

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.