How far is West Des Moines, IA from Fort Dodge, IA?
The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Fort Dodge, IA is about 86.4 miles (139 km), with a travel time of about 01h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 67.8 miles (109.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 59m 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 59m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Yell Township, Boone County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Des Moines and Fort Dodge.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines and Fort Dodge.
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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 · 38 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
3.4 mi · 4 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward IA 141 West: Grimes
1.3 km · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Southeast Grimes Boulevard
2.3 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
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10
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
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11
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
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12
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 19 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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13
Take the exit straight toward US 169: Ogden, Adel
1910 ft · 53 sec
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14
Turn right onto N Avenue
1.8 mi · 2 min · N Avenue
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15
Continue on H Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · H Avenue
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16
Turn left onto 320th Street
1 mi · 1 min · 320th Street
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17
Turn right onto G Avenue
9.7 mi · 13 min · G Avenue
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18
Turn left onto 220th Street
3 mi · 4 min · 220th Street
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19
Turn right onto D Avenue
12.1 mi · 17 min · D Avenue
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20
Continue on Paragon Avenue
4 mi · 6 min · Paragon Avenue
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21
Turn left onto 360th Street
4 mi · 6 min · 360th Street
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22
Turn right onto Lainson Avenue
15.3 mi · 21 min · Lainson Avenue
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23
Turn right onto Kenyon Road
1.8 mi · 4 min · Kenyon Road
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24
Continue on 5th Avenue South
1.1 km · 2 min · 5th Avenue South
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25
Turn right onto South 21st Street
676 ft · 19 sec · South 21st Street
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26
Continue on South 22nd Street
904 ft · 33 sec · South 22nd Street
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27
Turn right onto 8th Avenue South
8 m · 1 sec · 8th Avenue South
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 8th Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Des Moines and Fort Dodge.
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.
Northwest Granger Drive
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 00h 19m
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.
Sunny leaving West Des Moines and Sunny near Fort Dodge.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Des Moines to Fort Dodge?
The road trip is about 86.4 miles (139 km) and usually takes 01h 59m 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?
Ogden is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.2 miles from West Des Moines and 43.2 miles from Fort Dodge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 67.8 miles (109.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.6 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 2:30 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.50 one way or $23.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around West Des Moines and Sunny near Fort Dodge.
Stop Ideas Near Ogden
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 Ogden.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Fort Dodge. Straight-line distance: 67.77 mi (109.06 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 Fort Dodge
City in Iowa
| Population | 23,906 |
| Coordinates | 42.4974700, -94.1680200 |
| Altitude | 340 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fort Dodge (-94.16802, 42.49747)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 139 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.50 | $23.00 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $12.97 | $25.94 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $14.19 | $28.39 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $16.18 | $32.35 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.