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

The driving distance from Mapleton, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 138.9 miles (223.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 114.6 miles (184.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 04m 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
138.85 mi
02h 32m
Flight
114.56 mi
184.37 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Mapleton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
114.56 mi
Kilometers
184.37 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
138.85 mi
Kilometers
223.46 km
Drive Time
02h 32m

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 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Des Moines
Mon, Apr 13, 7:54 AM CDT
Return by in Mapleton
Mon, Apr 13, 10:27 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mapleton
2026-04-13T05:22
Arrive West Des Moines
Mon, Apr 13, 7:54 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:32 AM to 12:32 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:26 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Mapleton
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
Marne
IA

Human settlement in Cass County, Iowa, United States of America

From Mapleton
75.4 mi
01h 16m
To West Des Moines
63.4 mi
01h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 15 mph S
Destination
82°F
Monday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 23 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    14 m · 9 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South 4th Street

    3081 ft · 1 min · South 4th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

    2539 ft · 42 sec · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

  4. 4

    Turn right onto County Highway L32

    11.2 mi · 15 min · County Highway L32

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 37

    14 mi · 19 min · State Highway 37

  6. 6

    Continue on IA 37

    1 km · 1 min · IA 37

  7. 7

    Turn right onto North 6th Street

    1242 ft · 44 sec · North 6th Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Iowa Avenue

    1.4 km · 2 min · Iowa Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on Ia 37

    683 ft · 11 sec · Ia 37

  10. 10

    Continue on State Highway 37

    11.8 mi · 16 min · State Highway 37

  11. 11

    Continue on Railway Street

    137 m · 12 sec · Railway Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto M16 Road

    8.8 mi · 12 min · M16 Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto 1000th Street

    4 mi · 5 min · 1000th Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Chatburn Avenue

    1398 ft · 24 sec · Chatburn Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 23rd Street

    10.5 mi · 15 min · 23rd Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Avoca Lane

    671 ft · 19 sec · Avoca Lane

  17. 17

    Take the ramp slight right

    1377 ft · 34 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    82.1 mi · 1 hr 28 min

  19. 19

    Keep slight left to continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  20. 20

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

    2657 ft · 1 min

  21. 21

    Turn right onto 8th Street

    1 mi · 2 min · 8th Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Vine Street

    143 m · 13 sec · Vine Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Mapleton 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
23 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avoca Lane
82.5 mi · 59%
State Highway 37
25.8 mi · 19%
County Highway L32
11.2 mi · 8%
23rd Street
10.5 mi · 8%
M16 Road
8.8 mi · 6%
1000th Street
4.02 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Avoca Lane

Merge slight left

82.1 mi · 01h 28m

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 32m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.3 mi
114.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Marne
01h 16m from Mapleton
Leave By
1:26 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Mapleton and Slight 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 Mapleton to West Des Moines?

The road trip is about 138.9 miles (223.5 km) and usually takes 02h 32m 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?

Marne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.4 miles from Mapleton and 63.4 miles from West Des Moines.

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

The direct path is about 114.6 miles (184.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.3 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 1:26 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.48 one way or $36.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Mapleton and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near West Des Moines.

Stop Ideas Near Marne

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Marne, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Marne.

RAIL

Omaha

72 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street
RAIL

Creston

77 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Mapleton and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 114.56 mi (184.37 km).

Mapleton

#1 Mapleton

City in Monona County, Iowa, United States

Population1,147
Coordinates42.1658200, -95.7930600
Altitude347
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: Main Street (-95.793058, 42.165901)
End: Vine Street (-93.71133, 41.577301)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 223 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.9 gal
18.55 L · about $18.48
Round trip
$36.96
9.8 gal · 37.1 L
Estimated CO2
43.5 kg one way
Round trip: 87.1 kg / 192 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.48 $36.96
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.84 $41.68
Premium $4.65 $22.80 $45.61
Diesel $5.30 $25.99 $51.98

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Mapleton and West Des Moines. The current time is 05:22:27.

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.