How far is New Sharon, IA from West Des Moines, IA?

The driving distance from New Sharon, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 75.6 miles (121.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 55.3 miles (89 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 33m 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
75.64 mi
01h 16m
Flight
55.33 mi
89.05 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from New Sharon.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
55.33 mi
Kilometers
89.05 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
75.64 mi
Kilometers
121.73 km
Drive Time
01h 16m

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 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Des Moines
Thu, Apr 16, 2:38 AM CDT
Return by in New Sharon
Thu, Apr 16, 3:55 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave New Sharon
2026-04-16T01:21
Arrive West Des Moines
Thu, Apr 16, 2:38 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:17 AM to 11:17 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:56 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in New Sharon
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
Lambs Grove
IA

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

From New Sharon
37.5 mi
00h 38m
To West Des Moines
38.2 mi
00h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 mph WSW
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 New Sharon and West Des Moines.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Street

    2543 ft · 43 sec · North Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue on State Highway 146

    9.1 mi · 13 min · State Highway 146

  3. 3

    Keep slight right

    9 mi · 12 min

  4. 4

    Turn left

    2050 ft · 50 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    44.3 mi · 48 min

  6. 6

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

    1 km · 1 min

  7. 7

    Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    9.4 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  8. 8

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

    1348 ft · 35 sec

  9. 9

    Turn left onto 63rd Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · 63rd Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Vine Street

    2147 ft · 59 sec · Vine Street

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between New Sharon and West Des Moines.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
11 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 146
62.4 mi · 82%
John MacVicar Freeway
9.38 mi · 12%
63rd Street
1.14 mi · 2%
I 235 West
0.63 mi · 1%
North Main Street
0.48 mi · 1%
Vine Street
0.41 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

State Highway 146

Merge slight left

44.3 mi · 00h 48m

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 16m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.3 mi
55.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lambs Grove
00h 38m from New Sharon
Leave By
3:56 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving New Sharon 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 New Sharon to West Des Moines?

The road trip is about 75.6 miles (121.7 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?

Lambs Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.5 miles from New Sharon and 38.2 miles from West Des Moines.

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

The direct path is about 55.3 miles (89 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.3 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 3:56 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.07 one way or $20.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around New Sharon and Sunny near West Des Moines.

Stop Ideas Near Lambs Grove

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

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

RAIL

Osceola

94 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Ottumwa station

94 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between New Sharon and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 55.33 mi (89.05 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 New Sharon

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

Population1,286
Coordinates41.4700000, -92.6513000
Altitude266
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: (-92.651298, 41.470152)
End: Vine Street (-93.71133, 41.577301)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 122 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 15m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.67 gal
10.1 L · about $10.07
Round trip
$20.14
5.34 gal · 20.2 L
Estimated CO2
23.7 kg one way
Round trip: 47.5 kg / 105 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.07 $20.14
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.36 $22.71
Premium $4.65 $12.43 $24.85
Diesel $5.30 $14.16 $28.32

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 New Sharon and West Des Moines. The current time is 01:21:32.

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.