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

The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Moville, IA is about 178.7 miles (287.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 136.6 miles (219.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
178.69 mi
03h 46m
Flight
136.56 mi
219.78 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from West Des Moines.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
136.56 mi
Kilometers
219.78 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
178.69 mi
Kilometers
287.57 km
Drive Time
03h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Moville
Sun, Apr 19, 6:31 AM CDT
Return by in West Des Moines
Sun, Apr 19, 10:18 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Des Moines
2026-04-19T02:45
Arrive Moville
Sun, Apr 19, 6:31 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:47 AM to 11:47 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:26 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in West Des Moines
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Moorland
IA

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

From West Des Moines
89.2 mi
01h 53m
To Moville
89.5 mi
01h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph WNW
Destination
60°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    12.3 mi · 17 min · Lainson Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn left onto US 20 West

    1823 ft · 50 sec

  23. 23

    Merge slight left

    96.7 mi · 1 hr 53 min

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Fair Street

    25 m · 8 sec · Fair Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto East Frontage Road

    1944 ft · 57 sec · East Frontage Road

  26. 26

    Turn right onto South 2nd Street

    2431 ft · 1 min · South 2nd Street

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North 2nd Street

Car Route Details

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

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
27 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
5 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 20 West
97.1 mi · 54%
Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 9%
Lainson Avenue
12.3 mi · 7%
D Avenue
12.1 mi · 7%
H Avenue
11.9 mi · 7%
220th Street
4.11 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

US 20 West

Merge slight left

96.7 mi · 01h 53m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 46m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+42.1 mi
136.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Moorland
01h 53m from West Des Moines
Leave By
9:26 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving West Des Moines and Sunny near Moville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 178.7 miles (287.6 km) and usually takes 03h 46m 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?

Moorland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.2 miles from West Des Moines and 89.5 miles from Moville.

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

The direct path is about 136.6 miles (219.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.1 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 9:26 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.80 one way or $47.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Moville. Straight-line distance: 136.56 mi (219.78 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
Moville

#2 Moville

City in Woodbury County, Iowa, United States of America

Population1,651
Coordinates42.4888800, -96.0725200
Altitude359
CountryUnited States
Start: West Des Moines (-93.71133, 41.57721)
End: Moville (-96.07252, 42.48888)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 288 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.31 gal
23.87 L · about $23.80
Round trip
$47.59
12.62 gal · 47.74 L
Estimated CO2
56.1 kg one way
Round trip: 112.2 kg / 247 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.80 $47.59
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.84 $53.67
Premium $4.65 $29.37 $58.73
Diesel $5.30 $33.47 $66.94

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between West Des Moines and Moville. The current time is 02:45:07.

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.