How far is West Des Moines, IA from West Liberty, IA?

The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to West Liberty, IA is about 139.7 miles (224.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 126.5 miles (203.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
139.73 mi
02h 38m
Flight
126.51 mi
203.6 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from West Des Moines.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
126.51 mi
Kilometers
203.6 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
139.73 mi
Kilometers
224.87 km
Drive Time
02h 38m

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 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Liberty
Fri, Apr 17, 1:11 PM CDT
Return by in West Des Moines
Fri, Apr 17, 3:49 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Des Moines
2026-04-17T10:32
Arrive West Liberty
Fri, Apr 17, 1:11 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:38 AM to 12:38 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:14 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in West Des Moines
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Brooklyn
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From West Des Moines
69.7 mi
01h 19m
To West Liberty
70 mi
01h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Friday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 18 mph S
Destination
81°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between West Des Moines and West Liberty.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines and West Liberty.

  1. 1

    Start on Vine Street

    1051 ft · 33 sec · Vine Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 4th Street

    1949 ft · 56 sec · 4th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Grand Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Grand Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 56th Street

    1 km · 1 min · 56th Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward I-235 east

    1656 ft · 40 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway

    8.8 mi · 11 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport

    1476 ft · 36 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Davenport

    1628 ft · 40 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    121.2 mi · 2 hr 11 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward West Liberty

    1558 ft · 30 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Garfield Avenue

    5.7 mi · 8 min · Garfield Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto North Columbus Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · North Columbus Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto East 3rd Street

    820 ft · 16 sec · East 3rd Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 3rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between West Des Moines and West Liberty.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
122 mi · 87%
John MacVicar Freeway
8.76 mi · 6%
Garfield Avenue
5.72 mi · 4%
North Columbus Street
0.75 mi · 1%
Grand Avenue
0.71 mi · 1%
56th Street
0.63 mi
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight left

121 mi · 02h 11m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 38m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.2 mi
126.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brooklyn
01h 19m from West Des Moines
Leave By
1:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving West Des Moines and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near West Liberty.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from West Des Moines to West Liberty?

The road trip is about 139.7 miles (224.9 km) and usually takes 02h 38m 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?

Brooklyn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.7 miles from West Des Moines and 70 miles from West Liberty.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 126.5 miles (203.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.2 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 1:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.59 one way or $37.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around West Des Moines and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near West Liberty.

Stop Ideas Near Brooklyn

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Brooklyn, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Brooklyn.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

79 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

113 mi away
418 North Adams Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and West Liberty. Straight-line distance: 126.51 mi (203.6 km).

West Des Moines

#1 West Des Moines

The most populous city in Dallas County, Iowa.

Population69,057
Coordinates41.5772100, -93.7113300
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
West Liberty

#2 West Liberty

City in Morgan County, Kentucky

Population3,734
Coordinates41.5700200, -91.2637700
Altitude206
CountryUnited States
Start: West Des Moines (-93.71133, 41.57721)
End: West Liberty (-91.26377, 41.57002)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 225 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.93 gal
18.66 L · about $18.59
Round trip
$37.18
9.86 gal · 37.32 L
Estimated CO2
43.8 kg one way
Round trip: 87.6 kg / 193 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.59 $37.18
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.97 $41.93
Premium $4.65 $22.94 $45.89
Diesel $5.30 $26.15 $52.30

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between West Des Moines and West Liberty. The current time is 10:32:54.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.