How far is West Des Moines, IA from Slater, IA?
The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Slater, IA is about 24.2 miles (39 km), with a travel time of about 00h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20.8 miles (33.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 21m 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 40m.
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 Polk County, Iowa, United States of America
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 Slater.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines and Slater.
-
1
Start on Vine Street
1051 ft · 33 sec · Vine Street
-
2
Turn left onto 4th Street
1949 ft · 56 sec · 4th Street
-
3
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Grand Avenue
-
4
Turn left onto 56th Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · 56th Street
-
5
Turn straight onto 55th Street
1.3 km · 2 min · 55th Street
-
6
Turn right onto Franklin Avenue
1 mi · 3 min · Franklin Avenue
-
7
Turn left onto Beaver Avenue
2.4 mi · 4 min · Beaver Avenue
-
8
Continue on Northwest Beaver Drive
2.6 mi · 5 min · Northwest Beaver Drive
-
9
Turn right onto Northwest 66th Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · Northwest 66th Avenue
-
10
Turn left onto Northwest Toni Drive
1.1 mi · 2 min · Northwest Toni Drive
-
11
At the end of the road, turn left onto Northwest Fisher Lane
116 m · 7 sec · Northwest Fisher Lane
-
12
Continue on Northwest 37th Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Northwest 37th Street
-
13
Continue on Northwest 84th Avenue
1616 ft · 42 sec · Northwest 84th Avenue
-
14
Turn left onto Northwest 35th Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Northwest 35th Street
-
15
Continue on Northwest Polk City Drive
1.8 mi · 3 min · Northwest Polk City Drive
-
16
Turn right onto Northwest 44th Street
8 mi · 11 min · Northwest 44th Street
-
17
Continue on 510th Avenue
1661 ft · 33 sec · 510th Avenue
-
18
Continue on South Linn Street
1.1 km · 1 min · South Linn Street
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Linn Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Des Moines and Slater.
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.
Northwest 44th Street
Turn right onto Northwest 44th Street
7.98 mi · 00h 11m
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.
Sunny leaving West Des Moines and Sunny near Slater.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Des Moines to Slater?
The road trip is about 24.2 miles (39 km) and usually takes 00h 40m 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?
Saylorville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.1 miles from West Des Moines and 12.1 miles from Slater.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20.8 miles (33.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.4 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 7:08 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.24 one way or $6.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around West Des Moines and Sunny near Slater.
Stop Ideas Near Saylorville
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 Saylorville.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Slater. Straight-line distance: 20.83 mi (33.53 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 Slater
City in Story County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,471 |
| Coordinates | 41.8777600, -93.6785500 |
| Altitude | 316 |
| Country | United States |
End: Slater (-93.67855, 41.87776)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 39 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.24 | $6.49 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.66 | $7.32 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.00 | $8.00 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.56 | $9.12 |
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.