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

The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Marshalltown, IA is about 58.1 miles (93.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 52.7 miles (84.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 07m 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
58.13 mi
01h 03m
Flight
52.69 mi
84.79 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
52.69 mi
Kilometers
84.79 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
58.13 mi
Kilometers
93.55 km
Drive Time
01h 03m

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 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Marshalltown
Wed, Apr 22, 8:02 PM CDT
Return by in West Des Moines
Wed, Apr 22, 9:06 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Des Moines
2026-04-22T18:58
Arrive Marshalltown
Wed, Apr 22, 8:02 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:04 AM to 11:04 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:22 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
Mingo
IA

Human settlement in Jasper County, Iowa, United States of America

From West Des Moines
28.7 mi
00h 31m
To Marshalltown
29.4 mi
00h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph S
Destination
79°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Vine Street

    1051 ft · 33 sec · Vine Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 4th Street

    1949 ft · 56 sec · 4th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Grand Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Grand Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 56th Street

    1 km · 1 min · 56th Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward I-235 east

    1656 ft · 40 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway

    8.8 mi · 11 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport

    1476 ft · 36 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Davenport

    1628 ft · 40 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    3.4 mi · 4 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant

    2428 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road

    35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road

  13. 13

    Continue on Marshalltown Boulevard

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Marshalltown Boulevard

  14. 14

    Continue on West Lincolnway

    2.2 mi · 4 min · West Lincolnway

  15. 15

    Continue on West Madison Street

    1644 ft · 38 sec · West Madison Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto South 3rd Street

    2231 ft · 46 sec · South 3rd Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    2675 ft · 1 min · West Main Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto North 3rd Avenue

    31 m · 2 sec · North 3rd Avenue

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North 3rd Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
32.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 61%
John MacVicar Freeway
8.76 mi · 15%
I 80 East
3.75 mi · 6%
West Lincolnway
2.23 mi · 4%
Marshalltown Boulevard
2.11 mi · 4%
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Northeast Hubbell Road

Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road

35.2 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
01h 03m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.4 mi
52.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mingo
00h 31m from West Des Moines
Leave By
4:22 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving West Des Moines and Sunny near Marshalltown.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 58.1 miles (93.5 km) and usually takes 01h 03m 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?

Mingo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.7 miles from West Des Moines and 29.4 miles from Marshalltown.

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

The direct path is about 52.7 miles (84.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.4 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 4:22 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.73 one way or $15.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Mingo

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

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

RAIL

Osceola

91 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Ottumwa station

110 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Marshalltown. Straight-line distance: 52.69 mi (84.79 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
Marshalltown

#2 Marshalltown

City in Marshal County, Iowa

Population26,736
Coordinates42.0494300, -92.9079800
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Start: Vine Street (-93.71133, 41.577301)
End: North 3rd Avenue (-92.908043, 42.04943)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 94 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.05 gal
7.76 L · about $7.73
Round trip
$15.46
4.1 gal · 15.52 L
Estimated CO2
18.2 kg one way
Round trip: 36.4 kg / 80 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.73 $15.46
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.72 $17.44
Premium $4.65 $9.54 $19.08
Diesel $5.30 $10.87 $21.75

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 22, 2026

There is no time difference between West Des Moines and Marshalltown. The current time is 18:58:51.

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.