How far is West Des Moines, IA from Mapleton, IA?
The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Mapleton, IA is about 150.7 miles (242.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 114.6 miles (184.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 06m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Cass County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Des Moines and Mapleton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines and Mapleton.
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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 · 36 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
3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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6
Merge slight right
82 mi · 1 hr 28 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 59: Avoca, Harlan
1681 ft · 33 sec
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8
Turn right
10.2 mi · 14 min
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9
Turn left onto Chatburn Avenue
1502 ft · 26 sec · Chatburn Avenue
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10
Continue on 1000th Street
4 mi · 6 min · 1000th Street
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11
Turn right onto M16 Road
8.8 mi · 12 min · M16 Road
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto Railway Street
137 m · 9 sec · Railway Street
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13
Continue on State Highway 37
11.8 mi · 16 min · State Highway 37
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14
Continue on Ia 37
683 ft · 11 sec · Ia 37
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15
Continue on Iowa Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · Iowa Avenue
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16
Turn right onto North 6th Street
1242 ft · 41 sec · North 6th Street
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17
Turn left onto IA 37
1 km · 1 min · IA 37
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18
Continue on State Highway 37
14 mi · 19 min · State Highway 37
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19
Turn right onto County Highway L32
11.2 mi · 15 min · County Highway L32
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20
At the end of the road, turn left onto George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
2539 ft · 41 sec · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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21
Continue on South 4th Street
3081 ft · 1 min · South 4th Street
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22
Turn right onto Main Street
14 m · 2 sec · Main Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Des Moines and Mapleton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
John MacVicar Freeway
Merge slight right
82 mi · 01h 28m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving West Des Moines and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Mapleton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Des Moines to Mapleton?
The road trip is about 150.7 miles (242.5 km) and usually takes 03h 06m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Marne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.2 miles from West Des Moines and 75.4 miles from Mapleton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 114.6 miles (184.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:48 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.06 one way or $40.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around West Des Moines and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Mapleton.
Stop Ideas Near Marne
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 Marne.
Omaha
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Mapleton. Straight-line distance: 114.56 mi (184.37 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 Mapleton
City in Monona County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,147 |
| Coordinates | 42.1658200, -95.7930600 |
| Altitude | 347 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mapleton (-95.79306, 42.16582)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 242 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.06 | $40.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.63 | $45.25 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.76 | $49.52 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $28.22 | $56.43 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.