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

The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Glidden, IA is about 78.8 miles (126.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 62 miles (99.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 39m 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
78.78 mi
01h 49m
Flight
62 mi
99.78 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
62 mi
Kilometers
99.78 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
78.78 mi
Kilometers
126.78 km
Drive Time
01h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Glidden
Thu, Apr 23, 4:27 AM CDT
Return by in West Des Moines
Thu, Apr 23, 6:17 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Des Moines
2026-04-23T02:38
Arrive Glidden
Thu, Apr 23, 4:27 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:50 AM to 11:50 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:50 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
Perry
IA

City in Dallas County, Iowa, United States

From West Des Moines
39.3 mi
00h 54m
To Glidden
39.5 mi
00h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 23 mph S
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 24 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Vine Street

    143 m · 15 sec · Vine Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 8th Street

    1 mi · 2 min · 8th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on 73rd Street

    1465 ft · 36 sec · 73rd Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left toward I-235 west

    1686 ft · 41 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 North, I 80 East: Minneapolis, Chicago

    2325 ft · 57 sec · Ramp 72 E

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto I-35 north, I-80 east: Chicago, Minneapolis

    3.4 mi · 4 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 141 West: Grimes

    1.3 km · 2 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Southeast Grimes Boulevard

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard

  10. 10

    Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard

    1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard

  11. 11

    Continue on Northwest 114th Street

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Northwest Granger Drive

    15.6 mi · 19 min · Northwest Granger Drive

  13. 13

    Take the exit straight toward US 169: Ogden, Adel

    1910 ft · 55 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto N Avenue

    1.8 mi · 2 min · N Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on H Avenue

    2650 ft · 46 sec · H Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto 335th Street

    3.1 mi · 4 min · 335th Street

  17. 17

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East Avenue

    143 m · 13 sec · East Avenue

  18. 18

    Continue on 335th Street

    1 mi · 2 min · 335th Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto D Avenue

    1.4 km · 1 min · D Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn straight onto 325th Street

    2.5 mi · 3 min · 325th Street

  21. 21

    Turn straight onto Apple Road

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Apple Road

  22. 22

    Continue on 144 Diagonal

    6.9 mi · 10 min · 144 Diagonal

  23. 23

    Continue on U Avenue

    3.3 mi · 5 min · U Avenue

  24. 24

    Continue on West Main Street

    1844 ft · 58 sec · West Main Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto South 9th Street

    151 m · 16 sec · South 9th Street

  26. 26

    Continue on 9th N Street

    1005 ft · 33 sec · 9th N Street

  27. 27

    Turn left onto 220th Street

    20.5 mi · 28 min · 220th Street

  28. 28

    Continue on County Road N33

    5.3 mi · 7 min · County Road N33

  29. 29

    Turn left onto Colorado Street

    2673 ft · 55 sec · Colorado Street

  30. 30

    Turn right onto East 2nd Street

    795 ft · 37 sec · East 2nd Street

  31. 31

    Turn right onto North Idaho Street

    18 m · 3 sec · North Idaho Street

  32. 32

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Idaho Street

Car Route Details

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

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
32 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
40.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
20.5 mi · 26%
Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 20%
144 Diagonal
6.92 mi · 9%
County Road N33
5.28 mi · 7%
335th Street
4.06 mi · 5%
I-35 north
3.43 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

220th Street

Turn left onto 220th Street

20.5 mi · 00h 28m

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
01h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.8 mi
62 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Perry
00h 54m from West Des Moines
Leave By
2:50 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving West Des Moines and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Glidden.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 78.8 miles (126.8 km) and usually takes 01h 49m 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?

Perry is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.3 miles from West Des Moines and 39.5 miles from Glidden.

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

The direct path is about 62 miles (99.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.8 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 2:50 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.48 one way or $20.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around West Des Moines and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Glidden.

Stop Ideas Near Perry

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Perry, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Perry.

RAIL

Creston

89 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Osceola

94 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Glidden. Straight-line distance: 62 mi (99.78 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
Glidden

#2 Glidden

City in Carroll County, Iowa

Population1,090
Coordinates42.0569300, -94.7288700
Altitude377
CountryUnited States
Start: West Des Moines (-93.71133, 41.57721)
End: Glidden (-94.72887, 42.05693)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 127 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.78 gal
10.52 L · about $10.48
Round trip
$20.97
5.56 gal · 21.04 L
Estimated CO2
24.7 kg one way
Round trip: 49.4 kg / 109 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.48 $20.97
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.82 $23.65
Premium $4.65 $12.94 $25.88
Diesel $5.30 $14.75 $29.49

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between West Des Moines and Glidden. The current time is 02:38:04.

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.