How far is West Des Moines, IA from Pocahontas, IA?
The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Pocahontas, IA is about 125.8 miles (202.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 93.9 miles (151.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 37m 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 02h 48m.
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.
City in Webster County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Des Moines and Pocahontas.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines and Pocahontas.
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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
3.4 mi · 4 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward IA 141 West: Grimes
1.3 km · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Southeast Grimes Boulevard
2.3 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
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10
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
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11
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
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12
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 19 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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13
Take the exit straight toward US 169: Ogden, Adel
1910 ft · 53 sec
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14
Turn right onto N Avenue
1.8 mi · 2 min · N Avenue
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15
Continue on H Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · H Avenue
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16
Turn left onto 320th Street
1 mi · 1 min · 320th Street
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17
Turn right onto G Avenue
9.7 mi · 13 min · G Avenue
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18
Turn left onto 220th Street
3 mi · 4 min · 220th Street
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19
Turn right onto D Avenue
12.1 mi · 17 min · D Avenue
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20
Continue on Paragon Avenue
4 mi · 6 min · Paragon Avenue
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21
Turn left onto 360th Street
4 mi · 6 min · 360th Street
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22
Turn right onto Lainson Avenue
12.3 mi · 17 min · Lainson Avenue
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23
Turn left onto US 20 West
1823 ft · 50 sec
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24
Merge slight left
24.2 mi · 28 min
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25
Take the exit slight right toward IA 4: Rockwell City, Pocahontas
2133 ft · 60 sec
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26
Turn right onto Marshall Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · Marshall Avenue
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27
Keep slight left to continue on Marshall Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · Marshall Avenue
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28
Continue on Marengo Avenue
4.3 mi · 6 min · Marengo Avenue
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29
Continue on South East Street
1.2 km · 1 min · South East Street
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30
Continue on Marengo Avenue
2317 ft · 39 sec · Marengo Avenue
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31
Continue on 220th Avenue
11.5 mi · 16 min · 220th Avenue
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32
Continue on Southwest 7th Street
2573 ft · 1 min · Southwest 7th Street
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33
Turn right onto West Elm Avenue
2673 ft · 51 sec · West Elm Avenue
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34
Turn left onto North Main Street
1019 ft · 50 sec · North Main Street
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35
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue Northwest
22 m · 3 sec · 3rd Avenue Northwest
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 3rd Avenue Northwest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Des Moines and Pocahontas.
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.
US 20 West
Merge slight left
24.2 mi · 00h 28m
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 leaving West Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Pocahontas.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Des Moines to Pocahontas?
The road trip is about 125.8 miles (202.5 km) and usually takes 02h 48m 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?
Dayton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.9 miles from West Des Moines and 62.9 miles from Pocahontas.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 93.9 miles (151.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.9 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 12:52 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.74 one way or $33.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around West Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Pocahontas.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Pocahontas. Straight-line distance: 93.87 mi (151.07 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 Pocahontas
City in and county seat of Pocahontas County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,630 |
| Coordinates | 42.7355300, -94.6691500 |
| Altitude | 372 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pocahontas (-94.66915, 42.73553)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 203 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.74 | $33.49 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.88 | $37.77 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.66 | $41.33 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.55 | $47.10 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.