How far is Remsen, IA from West Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Remsen, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 196 miles (315.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 143.9 miles (231.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 20m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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, United States
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 Remsen and West Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Remsen and West Des Moines.
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1
Start on South Washington Street
2276 ft · 2 min · South Washington Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 3
1.3 km · 2 min · State Highway 3
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3
Turn right onto State Highway 140
15.1 mi · 21 min · State Highway 140
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4
Turn left onto 320th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 320th Street
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5
Turn right onto Shamrock Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · Shamrock Avenue
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6
Continue on Lee Avenue
5.4 mi · 7 min · Lee Avenue
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7
Turn left onto Highway 20
19 mi · 23 min · Highway 20
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8
Continue on United States Highway 20
8.3 mi · 10 min · United States Highway 20
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9
Continue on 220th Street
61.9 mi · 1 hr 11 min · 220th Street
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 169
1966 ft · 55 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
4 mi · 6 min · 360th Street
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13
Turn right onto Paragon Avenue
4 mi · 5 min · Paragon Avenue
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14
Continue on D Avenue
12.1 mi · 17 min · D Avenue
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15
Turn left onto 220th Street
3 mi · 4 min · 220th Street
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16
Turn right onto G Avenue
9.7 mi · 13 min · G Avenue
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17
Turn left onto 320th Street
1 mi · 1 min · 320th Street
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18
Turn right onto H Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · H Avenue
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19
Continue on N Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · N Avenue
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20
Take the exit left toward IA 141 east: Urbandale
1677 ft · 46 sec
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21
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 19 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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22
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
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23
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
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24
Continue on Grimes Boulevard
3087 ft · 50 sec · Grimes Boulevard
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25
Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard
1.8 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
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26
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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27
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 4 min
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28
Keep slight left
2012 ft · 26 sec
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29
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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30
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
2.8 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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31
Take the exit slight right toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
2657 ft · 1 min
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32
Turn right onto 8th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 8th Street
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33
Turn left onto Vine Street
143 m · 13 sec · Vine Street
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Remsen and West Des Moines.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
220th Street
Continue on 220th Street
61.9 mi · 01h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Remsen 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 Remsen to West Des Moines?
The road trip is about 196 miles (315.4 km) and usually takes 03h 20m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Knierim is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.1 miles from Remsen and 97.9 miles from West Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 143.9 miles (231.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.10 one way or $52.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Remsen and Sunny near West Des Moines.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Remsen and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 143.93 mi (231.63 km).
#1 Remsen
City in Plymouth County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 1,607 |
| Coordinates | 42.8147100, -95.9733500 |
| Altitude | 405 |
| 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: 315 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.10 | $52.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.43 | $58.86 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.21 | $64.41 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.70 | $73.41 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.