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

The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Britt, IA is about 126.9 miles (204.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 105.1 miles (169.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 19m 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
126.92 mi
02h 39m
Flight
105.16 mi
169.24 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from West Des Moines.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
105.16 mi
Kilometers
169.24 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
126.92 mi
Kilometers
204.25 km
Drive Time
02h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Britt
Sat, Apr 18, 3:29 AM CDT
Return by in West Des Moines
Sat, Apr 18, 6:08 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Des Moines
2026-04-18T00:49
Arrive Britt
Sat, Apr 18, 3:29 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:40 AM to 12:40 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:10 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in West Des Moines
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
Ellsworth
IA

City in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States

From West Des Moines
63.5 mi
01h 19m
To Britt
63.4 mi
01h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
50°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 20 mph NW
Destination
45°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 23 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Vine Street

    1051 ft · 33 sec · Vine Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 4th Street

    1949 ft · 56 sec · 4th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Grand Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Grand Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 56th Street

    1 km · 1 min · 56th Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward I-235 east

    1656 ft · 40 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway

    10.3 mi · 13 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    54.3 mi · 59 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge

    1664 ft · 57 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    3.3 mi · 4 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 69

    1984 ft · 51 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Little Wall Lake Road

    19.5 mi · 27 min · Little Wall Lake Road

  12. 12

    Turn right onto 220th Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · 220th Street

  13. 13

    Turn straight

    12.3 mi · 17 min

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    13.6 mi · 19 min

  15. 15

    At the end of the road, turn left

    9.5 mi · 13 min

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Main Avenue North

    1680 ft · 34 sec · Main Avenue North

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Avenue North

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
17 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
John MacVicar Freeway
64.6 mi · 51%
Little Wall Lake Road
19.5 mi · 15%
220th Street
14.4 mi · 11%
US 20 West
3.63 mi · 3%
Grand Avenue
0.71 mi · 1%
56th Street
0.63 mi
Longest Stretch

John MacVicar Freeway

Continue straight

54.3 mi · 00h 59m

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 39m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.8 mi
105.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ellsworth
01h 19m from West Des Moines
Leave By
1:10 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving West Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Britt.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from West Des Moines to Britt?

The road trip is about 126.9 miles (204.3 km) and usually takes 02h 39m 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?

Ellsworth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63.5 miles from West Des Moines and 63.4 miles from Britt.

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

The direct path is about 105.1 miles (169.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.8 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 1:10 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.89 one way or $33.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around West Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Britt.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Britt. Straight-line distance: 105.16 mi (169.24 km).

West Des Moines

#1 West Des Moines

The most populous city in Dallas County, Iowa.

Population69,057
Coordinates41.5772100, -93.7113300
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Britt

#2 Britt

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

Population1,928
Coordinates43.0977400, -93.8018900
Altitude374
CountryUnited States
Start: West Des Moines (-93.71133, 41.57721)
End: Britt (-93.80189, 43.09774)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 204 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.48 gal
16.95 L · about $16.89
Round trip
$33.79
8.96 gal · 33.9 L
Estimated CO2
39.8 kg one way
Round trip: 79.6 kg / 175 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.89 $33.79
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.05 $38.11
Premium $4.65 $20.85 $41.70
Diesel $5.30 $23.76 $47.52

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between West Des Moines and Britt. The current time is 00:49:07.

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.