Cities Near West Des Moines
Cities near West Des Moines, Iowa: 10 notable destinations within day-trip and weekend range, including Des Moines, Ankeny, Ames. Compare distance, drive time and flight time, with day-trip and getaway ideas.
The closest notable city to West Des Moines, Iowa is Des Moines, about 6 mi (9 km) away — roughly 19 min by road. Below, 10 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 6 mi / 9 km | 19 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Ankeny | 12 mi / 19 km | 40 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Ames | 32 mi / 51 km | 57 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Waterloo | 95 mi / 152 km | 2 hr 12 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Cedar Rapids | 111 mi / 178 km | 2 hr 34 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Iowa City | 113 mi / 182 km | 2 hr 37 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Council Bluffs | 113 mi / 183 km | 2 hr 38 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Bellevue | 117 mi / 188 km | 2 hr 43 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Saint Joseph | 138 mi / 223 km | 3 hr 13 min | Drive/rail | Weekend getaway |
| Sioux City | 152 mi / 245 km | 3 hr 32 min | Drive/rail | Weekend getaway |
Day trips from West Des Moines
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Des Moines, Ankeny, Ames, Waterloo. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Weekend getaways from West Des Moines
Far enough for a change of scene but still an easy hop: Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Council Bluffs, Bellevue, Saint Joseph. Worth an overnight or a full weekend.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near West Des Moines include Des Moines, Ankeny, Ames, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids. The closest is Des Moines, about 6 miles (9 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.
More about West Des Moines
Nearby city travel guides
- → Best time to visit Des Moines
- → Best time to visit Ankeny
- → Best time to visit Ames
- → Best time to visit Waterloo
- → Best time to visit Cedar Rapids
- → Best time to visit Iowa City
- → Best time to visit Council Bluffs
- → Best time to visit Bellevue
- → Best time to visit Saint Joseph
- → Best time to visit Sioux City