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

The driving distance from Parkersburg, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 103.2 miles (166.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 83.8 miles (134.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 42m 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
103.22 mi
01h 51m
Flight
83.81 mi
134.88 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Parkersburg.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
83.81 mi
Kilometers
134.88 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
103.22 mi
Kilometers
166.11 km
Drive Time
01h 51m

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 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Des Moines
Sun, Apr 19, 5:08 PM CDT
Return by in Parkersburg
Sun, Apr 19, 7:00 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Parkersburg
2026-04-19T15:17
Arrive West Des Moines
Sun, Apr 19, 5:08 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:51 AM to 11:51 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:48 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Parkersburg
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
Marshalltown
IA

City in Marshal County, Iowa

From Parkersburg
51.4 mi
00h 55m
To West Des Moines
51.8 mi
00h 55m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 14 mph NW
Destination
58°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    19 m · 7 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Coates Street

    1064 ft · 52 sec · Coates Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 6th Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 6th Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto State Highway 14

    1 mi · 1 min · State Highway 14

  5. 5

    Continue on N Avenue

    10.9 mi · 16 min · N Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn right onto 210th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street

  7. 7

    Turn sharp left onto County Road T37

    1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37

  8. 8

    Continue on M Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn right onto 240th Street

    6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Sanford Avenue

    15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn right onto 160th Street

    4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on North Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Marsh Avenue

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right

    35.9 mi · 43 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines

    4.5 mi · 6 min

  16. 16

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

    1 km · 1 min

  17. 17

    Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    9.4 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  18. 18

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

    1348 ft · 35 sec

  19. 19

    Turn left onto 63rd Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · 63rd Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Vine Street

    2147 ft · 59 sec · Vine Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Parkersburg 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
21 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
0 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 15%
N Avenue
10.9 mi · 11%
John MacVicar Freeway
9.38 mi · 9%
240th Street
6.28 mi · 6%
Marsh Avenue
5.95 mi · 6%
I 80 west
4.47 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

35.9 mi · 00h 43m

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 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.4 mi
83.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Marshalltown
00h 55m from Parkersburg
Leave By
2:48 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Parkersburg 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 Parkersburg to West Des Moines?

The road trip is about 103.2 miles (166.1 km) and usually takes 01h 51m 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?

Marshalltown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.4 miles from Parkersburg and 51.8 miles from West Des Moines.

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

The direct path is about 83.8 miles (134.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.4 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 2:48 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 Parkersburg and Sunny near West Des Moines.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Parkersburg and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 83.81 mi (134.88 km).

Parkersburg

#1 Parkersburg

City in Butler County, Iowa, United States

Population1,913
Coordinates42.5774800, -92.7868600
Altitude296
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: Coates Street (-92.786861, 42.577307)
End: Vine Street (-93.71133, 41.577301)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 166 km by road

SpeedTime
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.

One-way fuel
3.64 gal
13.79 L · about $13.73
Round trip
$27.45
7.28 gal · 27.58 L
Estimated CO2
32.3 kg one way
Round trip: 64.7 kg / 143 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound 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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Parkersburg and West Des Moines. The current time is 15:17:12.

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.