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

The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Osceola, IA is about 41 miles (66 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 37.7 miles (60.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 41m 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
41.01 mi
00h 50m
Flight
37.64 mi
60.58 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
37.64 mi
Kilometers
60.58 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
41.01 mi
Kilometers
66 km
Drive Time
00h 50m

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 00h 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Osceola
Wed, Apr 15, 1:00 PM CDT
Return by in West Des Moines
Wed, Apr 15, 1:51 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Des Moines
2026-04-15T12:09
Arrive Osceola
Wed, Apr 15, 1:00 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:51 AM to 10:51 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:48 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
Saint Charles
IA

City in Madison County, Iowa

From West Des Moines
20.5 mi
00h 25m
To Osceola
20.5 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Today

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 9:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph S
Destination
60°F
Overnight

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 3:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Vine Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · Vine Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Grand Avenue

    4.1 mi · 8 min · Grand Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left toward DMACC West Campus

    2028 ft · 50 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    32.2 mi · 35 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward CR R35

    1223 ft · 35 sec

  6. 6

    Turn left onto County Road R35

    1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road R35

  7. 7

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    1.8 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

  8. 8

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
8 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
DMACC West Campus
32.6 mi · 80%
Grand Avenue
4.12 mi · 10%
North Main Street
1.78 mi · 4%
County Road R35
1.4 mi · 3%
Vine Street
0.85 mi · 2%
CR R35
0.23 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

DMACC West Campus

Merge slight left

32.2 mi · 00h 35m

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
00h 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.3 mi
37.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saint Charles
00h 25m from West Des Moines
Leave By
4:48 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving West Des Moines and Showers And Thunderstorms near Osceola.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 41 miles (66 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?

Saint Charles is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.5 miles from West Des Moines and 20.5 miles from Osceola.

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

The direct path is about 37.7 miles (60.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.3 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 4:48 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.47 one way or $10.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.9 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 near Osceola.

Stop Ideas Near Saint Charles

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

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

RAIL

Osceola

28 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Creston

53 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Osceola. Straight-line distance: 37.64 mi (60.58 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
Osceola

#2 Osceola

City in Clarke County, Iowa, United States

Population5,285
Coordinates41.0338900, -93.7655000
Altitude348
CountryUnited States
Start: West Des Moines (-93.71133, 41.57721)
End: Osceola (-93.7655, 41.03389)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 66 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.45 gal
5.48 L · about $5.47
Round trip
$10.94
2.9 gal · 10.96 L
Estimated CO2
12.9 kg one way
Round trip: 25.8 kg / 57 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $5.47 $10.94
Mid-grade $4.25 $6.17 $12.33
Premium $4.65 $6.75 $13.50
Diesel $5.30 $7.69 $15.38

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between West Des Moines and Osceola. The current time is 12:09:59.

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.