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

The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Clarksville, IA is about 130.6 miles (210.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 99 miles (159.4 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
130.57 mi
02h 39m
Flight
99.07 mi
159.44 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
99.07 mi
Kilometers
159.44 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
130.57 mi
Kilometers
210.13 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 Clarksville
Sat, Apr 18, 6:38 AM CDT
Return by in West Des Moines
Sat, Apr 18, 9:18 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Des Moines
2026-04-18T03:58
Arrive Clarksville
Sat, Apr 18, 6:38 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
Williams
IA

City in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States

From West Des Moines
65.2 mi
01h 19m
To Clarksville
65.3 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
48°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    77.1 mi · 1 hr 24 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 3: Hampton, Clarion

    2550 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Turn right onto State Highway 3

    8.9 mi · 12 min · State Highway 3

  10. 10

    Continue on Central Avenue West

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Central Avenue West

  11. 11

    Continue on State Highway 3

    8.2 mi · 11 min · State Highway 3

  12. 12

    Continue on 210th Street

    1.8 mi · 2 min · 210th Street

  13. 13

    Continue on South Street

    1.7 mi · 3 min · South Street

  14. 14

    Continue on 210th Street

    7.4 mi · 10 min · 210th Street

  15. 15

    Continue on State Highway 3

    1 mi · 1 min · State Highway 3

  16. 16

    Continue on 210th Street

    6.5 mi · 9 min · 210th Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto State Highway 188

    1.8 mi · 3 min · State Highway 188

  18. 18

    Continue on South Main Street

    1 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto East Superior Street

    11 m · 1 sec · East Superior Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Superior Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
20 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
John MacVicar Freeway
87.4 mi · 67%
State Highway 3
18.1 mi · 14%
210th Street
15.7 mi · 12%
Central Avenue West
2.09 mi · 2%
State Highway 188
1.79 mi · 1%
South Street
1.75 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

John MacVicar Freeway

Continue straight

77.1 mi · 01h 24m

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
+31.6 mi
99 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Williams
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 Mostly Sunny near Clarksville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 130.6 miles (210.1 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?

Williams is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.2 miles from West Des Moines and 65.3 miles from Clarksville.

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

The direct path is about 99 miles (159.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.6 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 $17.38 one way or $34.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Clarksville. Straight-line distance: 99.07 mi (159.44 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
Photo coming soon

#2 Clarksville

City in Iowa

Population1,333
Coordinates42.7847000, -92.6676900
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Start: West Des Moines (-93.71133, 41.57721)
End: Clarksville (-92.66769, 42.7847)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 210 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.61 gal
17.44 L · about $17.38
Round trip
$34.77
9.22 gal · 34.88 L
Estimated CO2
41 kg one way
Round trip: 81.9 kg / 181 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.38 $34.77
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.61 $39.21
Premium $4.65 $21.45 $42.91
Diesel $5.30 $24.45 $48.90

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 Clarksville. The current time is 03:58:45.

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.