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

The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Denver, IA is about 128.2 miles (206.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 103.3 miles (166.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 44m 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
128.21 mi
02h 52m
Flight
103.3 mi
166.25 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
103.3 mi
Kilometers
166.25 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
128.21 mi
Kilometers
206.34 km
Drive Time
02h 52m

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 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Denver
Sat, Apr 18, 7:13 AM CDT
Return by in West Des Moines
Sat, Apr 18, 10:05 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Des Moines
2026-04-18T04:21
Arrive Denver
Sat, Apr 18, 7:13 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:52 AM to 12:52 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:46 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
Albion
IA

City in Marshall County, Iowa

From West Des Moines
64.1 mi
01h 26m
To Denver
64.1 mi
01h 26m

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
49°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then 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 Denver.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    8.8 mi · 11 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport

    1476 ft · 36 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Davenport

    1628 ft · 40 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    3.4 mi · 4 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant

    2428 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road

    35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Marsh Avenue

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on South Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  15. 15

    Continue on 160th Street

    4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Sanford Avenue

    15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn right onto 240th Street

    6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto M Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on County Road T37

    1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37

  20. 20

    Turn sharp right onto 210th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto N Avenue

    4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue

  22. 22

    Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo

    2388 ft · 58 sec

  23. 23

    Merge slight left

    11.2 mi · 13 min

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward CR D18: Cedar Falls

    2133 ft · 1 min

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Grundy Road

    1.6 km · 1 min · Grundy Road

  26. 26

    Continue on University Avenue

    3.5 mi · 5 min · University Avenue

  27. 27

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Greenhill Road

    2 m · 1 sec · Greenhill Road

  28. 28

    Exit the roundabout onto Greenhill Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Greenhill Road

  29. 29

    Turn left onto Avenue of the Saints

    2.7 mi · 4 min · Avenue of the Saints

  30. 30

    Take the exit slight right toward US 218 South: Waterloo

    1.4 km · 2 min

  31. 31

    Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway

    1.1 km · 48 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway

  32. 32

    Take the exit slight right toward Broadway Street: Airport

    2340 ft · 1 min

  33. 33

    Turn left onto Airport Boulevard

    1496 ft · 36 sec · Airport Boulevard

  34. 34

    Turn right onto West Airline Highway

    3 mi · 5 min · West Airline Highway

  35. 35

    Turn left onto Logan Avenue

    6.9 mi · 8 min · Logan Avenue

  36. 36

    Continue on Larrabee Avenue

    1.3 mi · 1 min · Larrabee Avenue

  37. 37

    Turn right onto State Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · State Street

  38. 38

    Turn left onto West Fayette Street

    12 m · 1 sec · West Fayette Street

  39. 39

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Fayette Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
39 steps
19 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
13
4 merges, 9 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
30.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 27%
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 12%
US 20 East
11.7 mi · 9%
John MacVicar Freeway
8.76 mi · 7%
Logan Avenue
6.91 mi · 5%
240th Street
6.28 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Northeast Hubbell Road

Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road

35.2 mi · 00h 42m

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 52m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.9 mi
103.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Albion
01h 26m from West Des Moines
Leave By
12:46 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving West Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Denver.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 128.2 miles (206.3 km) and usually takes 02h 52m 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?

Albion is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.1 miles from West Des Moines and 64.1 miles from Denver.

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

The direct path is about 103.3 miles (166.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.9 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 12:46 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.08 one way or $34.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Denver. Straight-line distance: 103.3 mi (166.25 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
Denver

#2 Denver

City in Iowa, US

Population1,879
Coordinates42.6713700, -92.3374000
Altitude289
CountryUnited States
Start: West Des Moines (-93.71133, 41.57721)
End: Denver (-92.3374, 42.67137)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 206 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.53 gal
17.13 L · about $17.08
Round trip
$34.17
9.06 gal · 34.26 L
Estimated CO2
40.3 kg one way
Round trip: 80.5 kg / 177 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.08 $34.17
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.27 $38.53
Premium $4.65 $21.08 $42.17
Diesel $5.30 $24.03 $48.05

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 Denver. The current time is 04:21:20.

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.