How far is Woodward, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Woodward, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 31.9 miles (51.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24 miles (38.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 12m 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 36m.
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.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Woodward and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Woodward and Des Moines.
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1
Start on South Main Street
1.6 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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2
Take the ramp left toward IA 141 east: Urbandale
1513 ft · 42 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto Northwest Granger Drive
10.1 mi · 12 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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4
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
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5
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
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6
Continue on Grimes Boulevard
3087 ft · 50 sec · Grimes Boulevard
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7
Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard
2 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
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8
Continue on Northwest Urbandale Drive
1354 ft · 37 sec · Northwest Urbandale Drive
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9
Turn left onto I-35 north, I-80 east: Minneapolis, Davenport
1886 ft · 46 sec
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10
Merge slight left
7.3 mi · 8 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IA 415: Polk City
1915 ft · 50 sec
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12
Turn right onto Northwest 2nd Street
1.3 km · 2 min · Northwest 2nd Street
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13
Continue on 2nd Avenue
2.5 mi · 5 min · 2nd Avenue
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14
Turn left onto University Avenue
3040 ft · 1 min · University Avenue
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15
Continue on East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Woodward and Des Moines.
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 Granger Drive
Merge slight left onto Northwest Granger Drive
10.1 mi · 00h 13m
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 Woodward and Sunny near Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Woodward to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 31.9 miles (51.4 km) and usually takes 00h 36m 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 15.2 miles from Woodward and 16.8 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24 miles (38.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.9 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 7:18 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.26 one way or $8.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Woodward and Sunny near Des Moines.
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 Woodward and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 23.96 mi (38.56 km).
#1 Woodward
City in Iowa, USA
| Population | 1,472 |
| Coordinates | 41.8569300, -93.9219000 |
| Altitude | 326 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
End: East University Avenue (-93.609114, 41.600425)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 51 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.26 | $8.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.81 | $9.61 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.26 | $10.52 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.99 | $11.99 |
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.