How far is West Des Moines, IA from Sidney, IA?
The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Sidney, IA is about 165.3 miles (266 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 115.8 miles (186.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 26m 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 03h 13m.
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.
Town in Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Des Moines and Sidney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines and Sidney.
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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
3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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6
Merge slight right
94.8 mi · 1 hr 42 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
23.5 mi · 25 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 29 South: Kansas City
1.1 mi · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
27.9 mi · 30 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward CR J24: Mc Paul, Thurman
1526 ft · 44 sec
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11
Turn left onto 155 Street
587 ft · 16 sec · 155 Street
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12
Continue on North Street
2.8 mi · 7 min · North Street
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13
Turn right onto Fletcher Street
806 ft · 27 sec · Fletcher Street
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14
Turn left onto Filmore Street
2887 ft · 1 min · Filmore Street
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15
Continue on State Highway 145
3.8 mi · 9 min · State Highway 145
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16
Turn right onto US 275
4.5 mi · 7 min · US 275
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17
Continue on Old Highway 275
1588 ft · 32 sec · Old Highway 275
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18
Continue on Illinois Street
2086 ft · 44 sec · Illinois Street
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19
Turn right onto Filmore Street
19 m · 3 sec · Filmore Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Filmore Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Des Moines and Sidney.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
John MacVicar Freeway
Merge slight right
94.8 mi · 01h 42m
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.
Sunny leaving West Des Moines and Sunny near Sidney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Des Moines to Sidney?
The road trip is about 165.3 miles (266 km) and usually takes 03h 13m 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?
Walnut is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.5 miles from West Des Moines and 82.8 miles from Sidney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 115.8 miles (186.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.5 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 10:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.98 one way or $43.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around West Des Moines and Sunny near Sidney.
Stop Ideas Near Walnut
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 Walnut.
Omaha
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Sidney. Straight-line distance: 115.85 mi (186.45 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 Sidney
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,016 |
| Coordinates | 40.7483300, -95.6475000 |
| Altitude | 356 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sidney (-95.6475, 40.74833)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 266 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.98 | $43.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.79 | $49.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.13 | $54.27 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.92 | $61.84 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.