How far is West Des Moines, IA from Earlham, IA?
The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Earlham, IA is about 25.5 miles (41 km), with a travel time of about 00h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 22.1 miles (35.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 05m 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 32m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Dallas County, Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Des Moines and Earlham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines and Earlham.
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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
3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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6
Merge slight right
18.2 mi · 20 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward CR P57: Earlham
1519 ft · 43 sec
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8
Turn left onto I Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · I Avenue
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9
Continue on County Road P57
1570 ft · 31 sec · County Road P57
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10
Continue on North Chestnut Avenue
2281 ft · 1 min · North Chestnut Avenue
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11
Turn right onto Northwest 2nd Street
118 m · 22 sec · Northwest 2nd Street
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12
Turn left onto Northwest Locust Avenue
73 m · 11 sec · Northwest Locust Avenue
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Northwest Locust Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Des Moines and Earlham.
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.
John MacVicar Freeway
Merge slight right
18.2 mi · 00h 20m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving West Des Moines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Earlham.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Des Moines to Earlham?
The road trip is about 25.5 miles (41 km) and usually takes 00h 32m 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?
Van Meter is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.7 miles from West Des Moines and 12.7 miles from Earlham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 22.1 miles (35.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.4 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 7:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.39 one way or $6.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around West Des Moines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Earlham.
Stop Ideas Near Van Meter
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 Van Meter.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Earlham. Straight-line distance: 22.15 mi (35.64 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 |
End: Earlham (-94.12412, 41.49193)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 41 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.39 | $6.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.83 | $7.66 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.19 | $8.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.77 | $9.55 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.