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

The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Humboldt, IA is about 100.9 miles (162.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 19m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 83.1 miles (133.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 38m 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
100.94 mi
02h 19m
Flight
83.12 mi
133.77 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
83.12 mi
Kilometers
133.77 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
100.94 mi
Kilometers
162.44 km
Drive Time
02h 19m

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 19m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Humboldt
Thu, Apr 16, 1:03 PM CDT
Return by in West Des Moines
Thu, Apr 16, 3:23 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Des Moines
2026-04-16T10:44
Arrive Humboldt
Thu, Apr 16, 1:03 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 19m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:19 AM to 12:19 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:52 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
Beaver
IA

City in Iowa, USA

From West Des Moines
50.5 mi
01h 09m
To Humboldt
50.5 mi
01h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph WSW
Destination
79°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 7:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    11.6 mi · 16 min · H Avenue

  16. 16

    Take the exit right

    1363 ft · 38 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto 220th Street

    4.1 mi · 6 min · 220th Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto D Avenue

    12.1 mi · 17 min · D Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on Paragon Avenue

    4 mi · 6 min · Paragon Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left onto 360th Street

    4 mi · 6 min · 360th Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Lainson Avenue

    30.7 mi · 42 min · Lainson Avenue

  22. 22

    Continue on 13th Street South

    1.4 km · 2 min · 13th Street South

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Sumner Avenue Southwest

    51 m · 7 sec · Sumner Avenue Southwest

  24. 24

    Continue on Sumner Avenue Southwest

    1.3 km · 2 min · Sumner Avenue Southwest

  25. 25

    Turn right onto South 6th Street

    64 m · 15 sec · South 6th Street

  26. 26

    Turn left

    65 m · 16 sec

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
27 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lainson Avenue
30.7 mi · 30%
Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 15%
D Avenue
12.1 mi · 12%
H Avenue
11.9 mi · 12%
220th Street
4.11 mi · 4%
360th Street
4.01 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Lainson Avenue

Turn right onto Lainson Avenue

30.7 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 19m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.8 mi
83.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Beaver
01h 09m from West Des Moines
Leave By
1:52 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving West Des Moines and Sunny near Humboldt.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 100.9 miles (162.4 km) and usually takes 02h 19m 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?

Beaver is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.5 miles from West Des Moines and 50.5 miles from Humboldt.

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

The direct path is about 83.1 miles (133.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.8 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 1:52 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.42 one way or $26.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around West Des Moines and Sunny near Humboldt.

Stop Ideas Near Beaver

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

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

RAIL

Creston

111 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Osceola

116 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Humboldt. Straight-line distance: 83.12 mi (133.77 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
Photo coming soon

#2 Humboldt

City in Iowa

Population4,544
Coordinates42.7208000, -94.2152400
Altitude330
CountryUnited States
Start: West Des Moines (-93.71133, 41.57721)
End: Humboldt (-94.21524, 42.7208)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 162 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.56 gal
13.48 L · about $13.42
Round trip
$26.85
7.12 gal · 26.96 L
Estimated CO2
31.6 kg one way
Round trip: 63.3 kg / 140 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.42 $26.85
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.14 $30.28
Premium $4.65 $16.57 $33.14
Diesel $5.30 $18.88 $37.76

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between West Des Moines and Humboldt. The current time is 10:44:20.

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.