How far is West Des Moines, IA from Jefferson, IA?
The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Jefferson, IA is about 60.8 miles (97.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 45.7 miles (73.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 44m 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 22m.
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 Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Des Moines and Jefferson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines and Jefferson.
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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
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
1.5 km · 1 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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14
Continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
17.7 mi · 24 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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15
Turn right onto State Highway 4
1.3 mi · 2 min · State Highway 4
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16
Continue on Neola Avenue
8.5 mi · 12 min · Neola Avenue
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17
Continue on South Elm Street
1927 ft · 30 sec · South Elm Street
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18
Continue on N Avenue
1.1 km · 55 sec · N Avenue
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19
Continue on South Elm Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Elm Street
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20
Turn left onto West Lincolnway Street
7 m · 1 sec · West Lincolnway Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Lincolnway Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Des Moines and Jefferson.
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.
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
Continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
17.7 mi · 00h 24m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving West Des Moines and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Jefferson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Des Moines to Jefferson?
The road trip is about 60.8 miles (97.8 km) and usually takes 01h 22m 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?
Bouton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 30.4 miles from West Des Moines and 30.4 miles from Jefferson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 45.7 miles (73.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.1 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 3:46 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.11 one way or $16.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.1 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 Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Jefferson.
Stop Ideas Near Bouton
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 Bouton.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Jefferson. Straight-line distance: 45.75 mi (73.63 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 Jefferson
City in Greene County, Iowa
| Population | 4,075 |
| Coordinates | 42.0152600, -94.3774700 |
| Altitude | 325 |
| Country | United States |
End: Jefferson (-94.37747, 42.01526)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 98 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $8.11 | $16.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $9.14 | $18.29 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $10.01 | $20.01 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $11.40 | $22.81 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.