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

The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Parkersburg, IA is about 102.7 miles (165.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 83.8 miles (134.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 36m 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
102.62 mi
02h 18m
Flight
83.81 mi
134.88 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
83.81 mi
Kilometers
134.88 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
102.62 mi
Kilometers
165.15 km
Drive Time
02h 18m

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 02h 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Parkersburg
Sun, Apr 19, 7:13 PM CDT
Return by in West Des Moines
Sun, Apr 19, 9:31 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Des Moines
2026-04-19T16:55
Arrive Parkersburg
Sun, Apr 19, 7:13 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:18 AM to 12:18 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:54 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
Marshalltown
IA

City in Marshal County, Iowa

From West Des Moines
51.3 mi
01h 09m
To Parkersburg
51.3 mi
01h 09m

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
55°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 14 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    Turn left onto Marsh Avenue

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on South Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  15. 15

    Continue on 160th Street

    4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Sanford Avenue

    15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn right onto 240th Street

    6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto M Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on County Road T37

    1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37

  20. 20

    Turn sharp right onto 210th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto N Avenue

    10.9 mi · 16 min · N Avenue

  22. 22

    Continue on State Highway 14

    1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 14

  23. 23

    Turn left onto 6th Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 6th Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Coates Street

    1064 ft · 52 sec · Coates Street

  25. 25

    Turn left

    19 m · 4 sec

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
26 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 34%
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 16%
N Avenue
10.9 mi · 11%
John MacVicar Freeway
8.76 mi · 9%
240th Street
6.28 mi · 6%
Marsh Avenue
5.95 mi · 6%
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
02h 18m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.9 mi
83.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Marshalltown
01h 09m from West Des Moines
Leave By
1:54 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving West Des Moines and Sunny near Parkersburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 102.7 miles (165.2 km) and usually takes 02h 18m 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?

Marshalltown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.3 miles from West Des Moines and 51.3 miles from Parkersburg.

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

The direct path is about 83.8 miles (134.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.9 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 1:54 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.65 one way or $27.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Parkersburg. Straight-line distance: 83.81 mi (134.88 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
Parkersburg

#2 Parkersburg

City in Butler County, Iowa, United States

Population1,913
Coordinates42.5774800, -92.7868600
Altitude296
CountryUnited States
Start: West Des Moines (-93.71133, 41.57721)
End: Parkersburg (-92.78686, 42.57748)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 165 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.62 gal
13.71 L · about $13.65
Round trip
$27.30
7.24 gal · 27.42 L
Estimated CO2
32.2 kg one way
Round trip: 64.3 kg / 142 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.65 $27.30
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.40 $30.79
Premium $4.65 $16.85 $33.69
Diesel $5.30 $19.20 $38.40

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 Parkersburg. The current time is 16:55:03.

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.