How far is West Des Moines, IA from Panora, IA?
The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Panora, IA is about 41.3 miles (66.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 34.5 miles (55.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 00m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Des Moines and Panora.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines and Panora.
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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 · 38 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
2.3 mi · 3 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 North, I 80 East: Minneapolis, Chicago
2325 ft · 57 sec · Ramp 72 E
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7
Merge slight left onto I-35 north, I-80 east: Chicago, Minneapolis
1.1 mi · 1 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 6
1530 ft · 39 sec
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9
Turn left onto Hickman Road
9.1 mi · 14 min · Hickman Road
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10
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
1331 ft · 18 sec · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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11
Continue on County Highway R16
1273 ft · 17 sec · County Highway R16
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12
Continue on 290th Street
2.4 mi · 3 min · 290th Street
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13
Continue on Greene Street
1 km · 1 min · Greene Street
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14
Turn right onto Nile Kinnick Drive South
3226 ft · 2 min · Nile Kinnick Drive South
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15
Continue on North Avenue
2089 ft · 36 sec · North Avenue
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16
Continue on N Avenue
4.1 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
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17
Turn left onto 240th Street
13.3 mi · 18 min · 240th Street
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18
Continue on State Highway 44
3.6 mi · 5 min · State Highway 44
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19
Continue on East Main Street
1.3 km · 2 min · East Main Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Des Moines and Panora.
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.
240th Street
Turn left onto 240th Street
13.3 mi · 00h 18m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving West Des Moines and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Panora.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Des Moines to Panora?
The road trip is about 41.3 miles (66.4 km) and usually takes 01h 00m 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?
Adel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.6 miles from West Des Moines and 20.6 miles from Panora.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 34.5 miles (55.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.8 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 4:28 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.51 one way or $11.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around West Des Moines and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Panora.
Stop Ideas Near Adel
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 Adel.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Panora. Straight-line distance: 34.57 mi (55.63 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 Panora
City in Guthrie County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 1,066 |
| Coordinates | 41.6916500, -94.3630200 |
| Altitude | 328 |
| Country | United States |
End: Panora (-94.36302, 41.69165)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 66 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.51 | $11.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.21 | $12.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.79 | $13.59 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.74 | $15.49 |
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 · May 04, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.