How far is West Des Moines, IA from Chariton, IA?
The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Chariton, IA is about 58.7 miles (94.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 44.2 miles (71.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 50m 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 01h 25m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Marion County, Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Des Moines and Chariton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines and Chariton.
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1
Start on Vine Street
2147 ft · 1 min · Vine Street
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2
Turn right onto Southwest 63rd Street;1st Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · Southwest 63rd Street;1st Street
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3
Continue on State Highway 28
2.2 mi · 3 min · State Highway 28
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4
Take the ramp slight right
2701 ft · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
8.1 mi · 9 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
19 mi · 23 min
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7
Continue on County Road S45
3.7 mi · 7 min · County Road S45
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8
Keep slight left to continue on County Road S45
5.5 mi · 10 min · County Road S45
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9
Continue on 1st Street Northwest
141 m · 15 sec · 1st Street Northwest
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10
Turn left onto B Street Northwest
112 m · 10 sec · B Street Northwest
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11
Turn right onto Northeast Main Street
933 ft · 19 sec · Northeast Main Street
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12
Continue on South Main Street
1.3 km · 1 min · South Main Street
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13
At the end of the road, turn right onto County Highway G76
2679 ft · 59 sec · County Highway G76
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14
Turn left onto County Highway S45
1.9 mi · 3 min · County Highway S45
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15
Continue on 50th Place
1.7 mi · 3 min · 50th Place
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16
Continue on 260th Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · 260th Avenue
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17
Turn right onto State Highway 14
6.4 mi · 10 min · State Highway 14
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18
Continue on North 7th Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · North 7th Street
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19
Turn right onto Court Avenue
935 ft · 24 sec · Court Avenue
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20
Turn left onto South Grand Street
63 m · 14 sec · South Grand Street
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21
Turn left
22 m · 5 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Des Moines and Chariton.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
IA 5 South
Take the exit slight right toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
19 mi · 00h 23m
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 West Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Chariton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Des Moines to Chariton?
The road trip is about 58.7 miles (94.4 km) and usually takes 01h 25m 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?
Pleasantville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.3 miles from West Des Moines and 29.3 miles from Chariton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 44.2 miles (71.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.5 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 3:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.81 one way or $15.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around West Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Chariton.
Stop Ideas Near Pleasantville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pleasantville.
Osceola
Ottumwa station
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Chariton. Straight-line distance: 44.23 mi (71.18 km).
#1 West Des Moines
The most populous city in Dallas County, Iowa.
| Population | 69,057 |
| Coordinates | 41.5772100, -93.7113300 |
| Altitude | 252 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chariton
City in Lucas County, Iowa
| Population | 4,103 |
| Coordinates | 41.0138900, -93.3066000 |
| Altitude | 313 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chariton (-93.3066, 41.01389)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 94 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $7.81 | $15.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $8.80 | $17.61 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $9.63 | $19.27 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $10.98 | $21.96 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.