How far is Manson, IA from West Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Manson, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 103.1 miles (165.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 78.2 miles (125.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 48m 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 54m.
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, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Manson and West Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manson and West Des Moines.
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1
Start on Main Street
11 m · 7 sec · Main Street
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2
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
1599 ft · 1 min · 10th Avenue
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto 8th Street
1908 ft · 38 sec · 8th Street
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4
Continue on Tabor Avenue
2635 ft · 55 sec · Tabor Avenue
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5
Turn right onto 190th Street
8 m · 6 sec · 190th Street
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6
Turn left onto Tabor Avenue
3 mi · 5 min · Tabor Avenue
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7
At the end of the road, turn right onto 220th Street
1.1 km · 59 sec · 220th Street
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8
Turn left onto Sigourney Avenue
1.6 mi · 2 min · Sigourney Avenue
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9
Turn left
18.6 mi · 22 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 169
1966 ft · 57 sec
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11
Turn right onto Lainson Avenue
12.2 mi · 17 min · Lainson Avenue
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12
Turn left onto 360th Street
3.9 mi · 5 min · 360th Street
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13
Take the exit slight right
16.2 mi · 23 min
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14
Turn left onto 220th Street
3.7 mi · 5 min · 220th Street
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15
Take the exit slight right
2251 ft · 1 min
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16
Turn right onto H Avenue
11.4 mi · 16 min · H Avenue
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17
Continue on N Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · N Avenue
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18
Take the exit left toward IA 141 east: Urbandale
1677 ft · 46 sec
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19
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 19 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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20
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
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21
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
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22
Continue on Grimes Boulevard
3087 ft · 50 sec · Grimes Boulevard
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23
Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard
1.8 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
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24
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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25
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 4 min
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26
Keep slight left
2012 ft · 26 sec
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27
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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28
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
2.8 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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29
Take the exit slight right toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
2657 ft · 1 min
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30
Turn right onto 8th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 8th Street
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31
Turn left onto Vine Street
143 m · 13 sec · Vine Street
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Manson 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.
Longest stretch
Turn left
18.6 mi · 00h 22m
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.
Sunny leaving Manson 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 Manson to West Des Moines?
The road trip is about 103.1 miles (165.9 km) and usually takes 01h 54m 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?
Beaver is a useful midpoint, sitting about 53.1 miles from Manson and 50 miles from West Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 78.2 miles (125.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:42 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.73 one way or $27.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Manson and Sunny near West Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Beaver
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 Beaver.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Manson and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 78.15 mi (125.77 km).
#1 Manson
City in Calhoun County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,529 |
| Coordinates | 42.5291400, -94.5341400 |
| Altitude | 378 |
| 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: 166 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $13.73 | $27.45 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $15.48 | $30.96 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $16.94 | $33.88 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $19.31 | $38.61 |
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.