How far is West Des Moines, IA from New Sharon, IA?

The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to New Sharon, IA is about 74.4 miles (119.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 55.3 miles (89 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 03m 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
74.47 mi
01h 31m
Flight
55.33 mi
89.05 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
55.33 mi
Kilometers
89.05 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
74.47 mi
Kilometers
119.85 km
Drive Time
01h 31m

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 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in New Sharon
Thu, Apr 16, 4:34 AM CDT
Return by in West Des Moines
Thu, Apr 16, 6:05 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Des Moines
2026-04-16T03:02
Arrive New Sharon
Thu, Apr 16, 4:34 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:32 AM to 11:32 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:26 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
Lambs Grove
IA

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

From West Des Moines
37.2 mi
00h 45m
To New Sharon
37.3 mi
00h 45m

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
76°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    44.2 mi · 48 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 146: Grinnell, New Sharon

    1770 ft · 47 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto State Highway 146

    17.9 mi · 25 min · State Highway 146

  12. 12

    Continue on North Main Street

    2543 ft · 43 sec · North Main Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
13 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
44.5 mi · 60%
State Highway 146
17.9 mi · 24%
John MacVicar Freeway
8.76 mi · 12%
Grand Avenue
0.71 mi · 1%
56th Street
0.63 mi · 1%
North Main Street
0.48 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight left

44.2 mi · 00h 48m

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 31m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.1 mi
55.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lambs Grove
00h 45m from West Des Moines
Leave By
3:26 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving West Des Moines and Sunny near New Sharon.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 74.4 miles (119.8 km) and usually takes 01h 31m 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?

Lambs Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.2 miles from West Des Moines and 37.3 miles from New Sharon.

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

The direct path is about 55.3 miles (89 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.1 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 3:26 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.92 one way or $19.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Lambs Grove

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

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

RAIL

Osceola

94 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Ottumwa station

94 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and New Sharon. Straight-line distance: 55.33 mi (89.05 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 New Sharon

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

Population1,286
Coordinates41.4700000, -92.6513000
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Start: West Des Moines (-93.71133, 41.57721)
End: New Sharon (-92.6513, 41.47)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 120 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.63 gal
9.95 L · about $9.92
Round trip
$19.84
5.26 gal · 19.9 L
Estimated CO2
23.4 kg one way
Round trip: 46.7 kg / 103 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.92 $19.84
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.19 $22.37
Premium $4.65 $12.24 $24.48
Diesel $5.30 $13.95 $27.90

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 New Sharon. The current time is 03:02:54.

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.