How far is West Des Moines, IA from Sanborn, IA?
The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Sanborn, IA is about 204.2 miles (328.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.8 miles (239.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 29m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 and county seat of Calhoun County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Des Moines and Sanborn.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines and Sanborn.
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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
2.6 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 · 55 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
11.6 mi · 16 min · H Avenue
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16
Take the exit right
1363 ft · 38 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto 220th Street
4.1 mi · 6 min · 220th Street
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18
Turn right onto D Avenue
12.1 mi · 17 min · D Avenue
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19
Continue on Paragon Avenue
4 mi · 6 min · Paragon Avenue
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20
Turn left onto 360th Street
4 mi · 6 min · 360th Street
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21
Turn right onto Lainson Avenue
12.3 mi · 17 min · Lainson Avenue
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22
Turn left onto US 20 West
1823 ft · 50 sec
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23
Merge slight left
60.9 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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24
Turn right onto Armstrong Avenue
6 mi · 8 min · Armstrong Avenue
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25
Continue on 20th Avenue
9.2 mi · 13 min · 20th Avenue
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26
Turn left onto Highway 7
1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 7
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27
Continue on State Highway 7
2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 7
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28
Continue on 1st Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · 1st Street
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29
Continue on V Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · V Avenue
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30
Turn left onto State Highway 3
1153 ft · 23 sec · State Highway 3
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31
Turn straight onto 530th Street
3.1 mi · 4 min · 530th Street
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32
Turn right onto State Highway 3
2.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 3
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33
Turn right
13.6 mi · 19 min
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34
Turn left onto 470th Street
4.1 mi · 6 min · 470th Street
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35
Continue on Silver Avenue
7.2 mi · 10 min · Silver Avenue
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36
Continue on South Rerick Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Rerick Avenue
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37
Continue on Silver Avenue
6 mi · 8 min · Silver Avenue
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38
Turn left onto 320th Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · 320th Street
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39
Continue on US-18
928 ft · 28 sec · US-18
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40
Turn left onto Franklin Street
1621 ft · 1 min · Franklin Street
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41
Turn right onto East 2nd Street
101 m · 14 sec · East 2nd Street
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42
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 2nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Des Moines and Sanborn.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
US 20 West
Merge slight left
60.9 mi · 01h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving West Des Moines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sanborn.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Des Moines to Sanborn?
The road trip is about 204.2 miles (328.6 km) and usually takes 04h 29m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Rockwell City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 102 miles from West Des Moines and 102.2 miles from Sanborn.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.8 miles (239.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.19 one way or $54.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around West Des Moines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sanborn.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Sanborn. Straight-line distance: 148.77 mi (239.43 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 Sanborn
City in Iowa
| Population | 1,390 |
| Coordinates | 43.1816400, -95.6555700 |
| Altitude | 473 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sanborn (-95.65557, 43.18164)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 329 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.19 | $54.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.66 | $61.33 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.56 | $67.11 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $38.24 | $76.48 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.