How far is West Des Moines, IA from Guthrie Center, IA?

The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Guthrie Center, IA is about 56 miles (90.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 41.5 miles (66.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 17m 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
56 mi
01h 08m
Flight
41.48 mi
66.76 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
41.48 mi
Kilometers
66.76 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
56 mi
Kilometers
90.12 km
Drive Time
01h 08m

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 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Guthrie Center
Sun, May 3, 10:33 AM CDT
Return by in West Des Moines
Sun, May 3, 11:42 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Des Moines
2026-05-03T09:24
Arrive Guthrie Center
Sun, May 3, 10:33 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:09 AM to 11:09 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:12 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Dexter
IA

City in Dallas County, Iowa, United States

From West Des Moines
28 mi
00h 34m
To Guthrie Center
28 mi
00h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
47°F
Overnight

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, May 3 2:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 mph SSW
Destination
71°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 3 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 14 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  6. 6

    Merge slight right

    36.1 mi · 39 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 25: Guthrie Center, Greenfield

    1199 ft · 26 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right onto State Highway 25

    2618 ft · 41 sec · State Highway 25

  9. 9

    Continue on Pecan Avenue

    1.6 km · 1 min · Pecan Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn left onto State Highway 25

    1.9 mi · 3 min · State Highway 25

  11. 11

    Continue on State Highway 25

    10.8 mi · 16 min · State Highway 25

  12. 12

    Continue on South 5th Street

    1801 ft · 36 sec · South 5th Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto State Street

    76 m · 4 sec · State Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · State Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
John MacVicar Freeway
39.4 mi · 70%
State Highway 25
13.3 mi · 24%
8th Street
1.01 mi · 2%
Pecan Avenue
1 mi · 2%
South 5th Street
0.34 mi · 1%
I-235 west
0.32 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

John MacVicar Freeway

Merge slight right

36.1 mi · 00h 39m

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 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.5 mi
41.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dexter
00h 34m from West Des Moines
Leave By
4:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving West Des Moines and Partly Sunny near Guthrie 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 Guthrie Center?

The road trip is about 56 miles (90.1 km) and usually takes 01h 08m 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?

Dexter is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28 miles from West Des Moines and 28 miles from Guthrie Center.

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

The direct path is about 41.5 miles (66.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.5 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 4:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.47 one way or $14.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around West Des Moines and Partly Sunny near Guthrie Center.

Stop Ideas Near Dexter

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Dexter, 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 Dexter.

RAIL

Creston

53 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Osceola

66 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Guthrie Center. Straight-line distance: 41.48 mi (66.76 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
Guthrie Center

#2 Guthrie Center

City in Iowa

Population1,487
Coordinates41.6772100, -94.5033000
Altitude338
CountryUnited States
Start: West Des Moines (-93.71133, 41.57721)
End: Guthrie Center (-94.5033, 41.67721)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 90 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.98 gal
7.48 L · about $7.47
Round trip
$14.93
3.96 gal · 14.96 L
Estimated CO2
17.6 kg one way
Round trip: 35.2 kg / 78 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.47 $14.93
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.42 $16.84
Premium $4.65 $9.21 $18.43
Diesel $5.30 $10.50 $21.00

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 · May 03, 2026

There is no time difference between West Des Moines and Guthrie Center. The current time is 09:24:26.

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.