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

The driving distance from Vinton, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 117.6 miles (189.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 95.9 miles (154.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 03m 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
117.63 mi
02h 01m
Flight
95.96 mi
154.44 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Vinton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
95.96 mi
Kilometers
154.44 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
117.63 mi
Kilometers
189.31 km
Drive Time
02h 01m

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 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Des Moines
Thu, Apr 16, 5:06 AM CDT
Return by in Vinton
Thu, Apr 16, 7:08 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Vinton
2026-04-16T03:05
Arrive West Des Moines
Thu, Apr 16, 5:06 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:02 AM to 12:02 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:26 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Vinton
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 Vinton
58.4 mi
01h 00m
To West Des Moines
59.2 mi
01h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W
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 Vinton and West Des Moines.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East 3rd Street

    1169 ft · 57 sec · East 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto C Avenue

    1 mi · 1 min · C Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on State Highway 150

    1576 ft · 27 sec · State Highway 150

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    9.8 mi · 15 min

  5. 5

    Turn right onto 70th Street

    2.5 mi · 4 min · 70th Street

  6. 6

    Continue on State Highway 199

    540 ft · 11 sec · State Highway 199

  7. 7

    Continue on 1st Avenue

    1468 ft · 35 sec · 1st Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn left onto 1st Street

    773 ft · 16 sec · 1st Street

  9. 9

    Continue on 21st Avenue

    2.9 mi · 5 min · 21st Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn right onto 73rd Street

    11.4 mi · 13 min · 73rd Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Lincoln Highway

    37.3 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines

    1818 ft · 46 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard

    33.7 mi · 40 min · Marshalltown Boulevard

  14. 14

    Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue

    1.1 km · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

  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 Vinton 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
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
0 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 32%
Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi · 29%
73rd Street
11.4 mi · 10%
State Highway 150
10.1 mi · 9%
John MacVicar Freeway
9.38 mi · 8%
I 80 west
4.47 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Lincoln Highway

Continue on Lincoln Highway

37.3 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
02h 01m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.7 mi
95.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Marshalltown
01h 00m from Vinton
Leave By
2:26 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Vinton 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 Vinton to West Des Moines?

The road trip is about 117.6 miles (189.3 km) and usually takes 02h 01m 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 58.4 miles from Vinton and 59.2 miles from West Des Moines.

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

The direct path is about 95.9 miles (154.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.7 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 2:26 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.65 one way or $31.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Vinton and Sunny near West Des Moines.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Vinton and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 95.96 mi (154.44 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Vinton

City in Iowa

Population5,019
Coordinates42.1686100, -92.0235100
Altitude240
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: East 3rd Street (-92.023509, 42.168675)
End: Vine Street (-93.71133, 41.577301)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 189 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.15 gal
15.71 L · about $15.65
Round trip
$31.30
8.3 gal · 31.42 L
Estimated CO2
36.9 kg one way
Round trip: 73.8 kg / 163 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $15.65 $31.30
Mid-grade $4.25 $17.65 $35.30
Premium $4.65 $19.31 $38.63
Diesel $5.30 $22.01 $44.02

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 Vinton and West Des Moines. The current time is 03:05:21.

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.