How far is Storm Lake, IA from West Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Storm Lake, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 145.2 miles (233.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 106.3 miles (171.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 33m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Storm Lake and West Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Storm Lake and West Des Moines.
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1
Start on Grand Avenue
942 ft · 40 sec · Grand Avenue
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2
Continue on West Lakeshore Drive
3.1 mi · 7 min · West Lakeshore Drive
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3
Continue on 130th Avenue
10.9 mi · 15 min · 130th Avenue
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4
Continue on US 71
1014 ft · 20 sec · US 71
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5
Take the exit left toward US 20 East: Fort Dodge
1841 ft · 51 sec
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6
Merge slight left
49.3 mi · 57 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 169
1966 ft · 57 sec
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8
Turn right onto Lainson Avenue
12.2 mi · 17 min · Lainson Avenue
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9
Turn left onto 360th Street
3.9 mi · 5 min · 360th Street
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10
Take the exit slight right
16.2 mi · 23 min
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11
Turn left onto 220th Street
3.7 mi · 5 min · 220th Street
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12
Take the exit slight right
2251 ft · 1 min
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13
Turn right onto H Avenue
11.4 mi · 16 min · H Avenue
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14
Continue on N Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · N Avenue
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15
Take the exit left toward IA 141 east: Urbandale
1677 ft · 46 sec
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16
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 19 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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17
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
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18
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
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19
Continue on Grimes Boulevard
3087 ft · 50 sec · Grimes Boulevard
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20
Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard
1.8 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
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21
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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22
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 4 min
-
23
Keep slight left
2012 ft · 26 sec
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24
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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25
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
2.8 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
2657 ft · 1 min
-
27
Turn right onto 8th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 8th Street
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28
Turn left onto Vine Street
143 m · 13 sec · Vine Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Storm Lake 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.
US 20 East
Merge slight left
49.3 mi · 00h 57m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Storm Lake and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then 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 Storm Lake to West Des Moines?
The road trip is about 145.2 miles (233.6 km) and usually takes 02h 33m 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?
Harcourt is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.5 miles from Storm Lake and 72.6 miles from West Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 106.3 miles (171.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.9 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 1:22 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.31 one way or $38.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Storm Lake and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near West Des Moines.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Storm Lake and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 106.31 mi (171.09 km).
#1 Storm Lake
City in Iowa
| Population | 10,438 |
| Coordinates | 42.6410900, -95.2097200 |
| Altitude | 433 |
| 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: 234 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.31 | $38.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.78 | $43.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.83 | $47.66 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $27.16 | $54.31 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.