How far is West Des Moines, IA from Dallas Center, IA?
The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Dallas Center, IA is about 20.3 miles (32.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 14.9 miles (23.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 31m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Des Moines and Dallas Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines and Dallas Center.
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1
Start on Vine Street
143 m · 15 sec · Vine Street
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2
Turn right onto 8th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 8th Street
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3
Continue on 73rd Street
1465 ft · 36 sec · 73rd Street
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4
Take the ramp left toward I-235 west
1686 ft · 41 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 North, I 80 East: Minneapolis, Chicago
2325 ft · 57 sec · Ramp 72 E
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7
Merge slight left onto I-35 north, I-80 east: Chicago, Minneapolis
1.1 mi · 1 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 6
1530 ft · 39 sec
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9
Turn left onto Hickman Road
9.6 mi · 14 min · Hickman Road
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10
Turn right onto R Avenue
4.1 mi · 6 min · R Avenue
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11
Continue on 13th Street
1.2 km · 2 min · 13th Street
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12
Turn sharp right onto Walnut Street
10 m · 2 sec · Walnut Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Walnut Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Des Moines and Dallas Center.
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.
Hickman Road
Turn left onto Hickman Road
9.55 mi · 00h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Rain Showers leaving West Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Dallas Center.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Des Moines to Dallas Center?
The road trip is about 20.3 miles (32.6 km) and usually takes 00h 31m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Waukee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.1 miles from West Des Moines and 10.1 miles from Dallas Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 14.9 miles (23.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:28 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.68 one way or $5.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.3 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 Dallas Center.
Stop Ideas Near Waukee
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 Waukee.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Dallas Center. Straight-line distance: 14.88 mi (23.94 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 Dallas Center
City in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 1,822 |
| Coordinates | 41.6844300, -93.9610600 |
| Altitude | 326 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dallas Center (-93.96106, 41.68443)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 33 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.68 | $5.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.02 | $6.04 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.30 | $6.61 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.77 | $7.53 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.