How far is West Des Moines, IA from Polk City, IA?
The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Polk City, IA is about 18.8 miles (30.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 13.4 miles (21.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 29m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Des Moines and Polk City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines and Polk City.
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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 · 36 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
2.1 mi · 2 min · Northwest 114th Street
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12
Take the exit slight right toward IA 415, NW Saylorville Drive: Polk City
2887 ft · 1 min
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13
At the end of the road, turn right onto Northwest Saylorville Drive
1.4 mi · 2 min · Northwest Saylorville Drive
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Northwest Saylorville Drive
41 m · 2 sec · Northwest Saylorville Drive
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15
Exit the roundabout onto Northwest Saylorville Drive
86 m · 5 sec · Northwest Saylorville Drive
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16
Continue on Northwest 112th Street
2287 ft · 43 sec · Northwest 112th Street
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17
Continue on Mile Long Bridge
1.5 km · 2 min · Mile Long Bridge
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18
Continue on West Bridge Road
1.3 km · 2 min · West Bridge Road
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19
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
3016 ft · 1 min · South 3rd Street
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20
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
85 m · 17 sec · West Broadway Street
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21
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
5 m · 1 sec · North 2nd Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 2nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Des Moines and Polk City.
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.
I-35 north
Merge slight left onto I-35 north, I-80 east: Chicago, Minneapolis
3.43 mi · 00h 04m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Cloudy leaving West Des Moines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Polk City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Des Moines to Polk City?
The road trip is about 18.8 miles (30.3 km) and usually takes 00h 29m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Grimes is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.4 miles from West Des Moines and 9.4 miles from Polk City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 13.4 miles (21.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:30 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.53 one way or $5.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around West Des Moines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Polk City.
Stop Ideas Near Grimes
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 Grimes.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Polk City. Straight-line distance: 13.42 mi (21.59 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 Polk City
American city in Iowa
| Population | 4,961 |
| Coordinates | 41.7713800, -93.7130000 |
| Altitude | 269 |
| Country | United States |
End: Polk City (-93.713, 41.77138)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 30 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.53 | $5.05 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.85 | $5.70 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.12 | $6.24 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.55 | $7.11 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.