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

The driving distance from Bellevue, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 211.9 miles (341 km), with a travel time of about 03h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 175.5 miles (282.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
211.91 mi
03h 33m
Flight
175.49 mi
282.42 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bellevue.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
175.49 mi
Kilometers
282.42 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
211.91 mi
Kilometers
341.04 km
Drive Time
03h 33m

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 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Des Moines
Sat, Apr 18, 2:59 AM CDT
Return by in Bellevue
Sat, Apr 18, 6:33 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bellevue
2026-04-17T23:26
Arrive West Des Moines
Sat, Apr 18, 2:59 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:33 AM to 11:33 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:54 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bellevue
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Newhall
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Bellevue
106.1 mi
01h 46m
To West Des Moines
105.8 mi
01h 46m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Friday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S
Destination
80°F
Friday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 18 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Riverview Street

    2.5 mi · 4 min · South Riverview Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Great River Road

    7.6 mi · 10 min · Great River Road

  3. 3

    Continue on Main Street

    2641 ft · 55 sec · Main Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Great River Road

    9.1 mi · 12 min · Great River Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Bellevue Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Bellevue Road

  6. 6

    Turn left

    2.9 mi · 4 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right

    57 mi · 1 hr 6 min

  8. 8

    Turn left

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Turn right

    15.2 mi · 19 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown

    1.2 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto 16th Avenue Southwest

    2.4 mi · 3 min · 16th Avenue Southwest

  12. 12

    Continue on 73rd Street

    24.4 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Lincoln Highway

    37.3 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines

    1818 ft · 46 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard

    33.7 mi · 40 min · Marshalltown Boulevard

  16. 16

    Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue

    1.1 km · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines

    4.5 mi · 6 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines

    1 km · 1 min

  19. 19

    Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    9.4 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights

    1348 ft · 35 sec

  21. 21

    Turn left onto 63rd Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · 63rd Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Vine Street

    2147 ft · 59 sec · Vine Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
23 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
1 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Bellevue Road
57.8 mi · 27%
Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 18%
Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi · 16%
73rd Street
24.4 mi · 12%
Great River Road
16.7 mi · 8%
John MacVicar Freeway
9.38 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Bellevue Road

Take the exit slight right

57 mi · 01h 06m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 33m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.4 mi
175.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Newhall
01h 46m from Bellevue
Leave By
9:54 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Bellevue and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near West Des Moines.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 211.9 miles (341 km) and usually takes 03h 33m 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?

Newhall is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.1 miles from Bellevue and 105.8 miles from West Des Moines.

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

The direct path is about 175.5 miles (282.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:54 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.21 one way or $56.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Bellevue and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near West Des Moines.

Stop Ideas Near Newhall

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Newhall, 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 Newhall.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

115 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

119 mi away
418 North Adams Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bellevue and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 175.49 mi (282.42 km).

Bellevue

#1 Bellevue

City in Jackson County, Iowa, United States

Population2,185
Coordinates42.2586300, -90.4229100
Altitude188
CountryUnited States
West Des Moines

#2 West Des Moines

The most populous city in Dallas County, Iowa.

Population69,057
Coordinates41.5772100, -93.7113300
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Start: South Riverview Drive (-90.423001, 42.258609)
End: Vine Street (-93.71133, 41.577301)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 341 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 01m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.48 gal
28.31 L · about $28.21
Round trip
$56.41
14.96 gal · 56.62 L
Estimated CO2
66.5 kg one way
Round trip: 132.9 kg / 293 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $28.21 $56.41
Mid-grade $4.25 $31.81 $63.62
Premium $4.65 $34.81 $69.62
Diesel $5.30 $39.67 $79.35

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Bellevue and West Des Moines. The current time is 23:26:10.

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.