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

The driving distance from Marengo, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 95.9 miles (154.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 86 miles (138.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 16m 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
95.91 mi
01h 38m
Flight
86.02 mi
138.43 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Marengo.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
86.02 mi
Kilometers
138.43 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
95.91 mi
Kilometers
154.35 km
Drive Time
01h 38m

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 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Des Moines
Sun, Apr 19, 1:14 AM CDT
Return by in Marengo
Sun, Apr 19, 2:52 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Marengo
2026-04-18T23:35
Arrive West Des Moines
Sun, Apr 19, 1:14 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:38 AM to 11:38 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:14 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Marengo
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
Kellogg
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Marengo
47.6 mi
00h 49m
To West Des Moines
48.3 mi
00h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
50°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW
Destination
50°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 20 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    41 m · 12 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Marion Street

    951 ft · 47 sec · West Marion Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Western Avenue

    2979 ft · 1 min · Western Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right

    15.4 mi · 22 min

  5. 5

    Turn left onto 220th Street

    3.4 mi · 5 min · 220th Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp left

    1441 ft · 35 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    63.8 mi · 1 hr 9 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines

    1 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    9.4 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  10. 10

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

    1348 ft · 35 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto 63rd Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · 63rd Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Vine Street

    2147 ft · 59 sec · Vine Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Marengo 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
13 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
67.5 mi · 70%
John MacVicar Freeway
9.38 mi · 10%
63rd Street
1.14 mi · 1%
I 235 West
0.63 mi · 1%
Western Avenue
0.56 mi · 1%
Vine Street
0.41 mi
Longest Stretch

220th Street

Merge slight left

63.8 mi · 01h 09m

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
01h 38m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.9 mi
86 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kellogg
00h 49m from Marengo
Leave By
3:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Marengo 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 Marengo to West Des Moines?

The road trip is about 95.9 miles (154.3 km) and usually takes 01h 38m 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?

Kellogg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.6 miles from Marengo and 48.3 miles from West Des Moines.

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

The direct path is about 86 miles (138.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.9 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 3:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.75 one way or $25.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Marengo and Chance Rain Showers near West Des Moines.

Stop Ideas Near Kellogg

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Kellogg, 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 Kellogg.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

88 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Osceola

104 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Marengo and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 86.02 mi (138.43 km).

Marengo

#1 Marengo

Town and county of Iowa County, Iowa, United States

Population2,466
Coordinates41.7980600, -92.0707400
Altitude225
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: (-92.070786, 41.798065)
End: Vine Street (-93.71133, 41.577301)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 154 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.38 gal
12.81 L · about $12.75
Round trip
$25.49
6.76 gal · 25.62 L
Estimated CO2
30 kg one way
Round trip: 60.1 kg / 132 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.75 $25.49
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.38 $28.75
Premium $4.65 $15.73 $31.46
Diesel $5.30 $17.93 $35.86

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

There is no time difference between Marengo and West Des Moines. The current time is 23:35:38.

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.