How far is Cedar Falls, IA from West Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Cedar Falls, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 132 miles (212.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 92.3 miles (148.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 03m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Marshall County, Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cedar Falls and West Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Falls and West Des Moines.
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1
Start on Main Street
16 m · 8 sec · Main Street
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2
Continue on Main Street
19 m · 1 sec · Main Street
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street
32 m · 2 sec · Main Street
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Main Street
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street
24 m · 2 sec · Main Street
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
993 ft · 22 sec · Main Street
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7
Turn right onto University Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · University Avenue
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward University Avenue
38 m · 3 sec · University Avenue
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9
Exit the roundabout onto University Avenue
3.5 mi · 5 min · University Avenue
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10
Continue on Grundy Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Grundy Road
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11
Take the ramp right
2235 ft · 54 sec
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12
Merge slight left
11.3 mi · 13 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
2083 ft · 59 sec
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14
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.5 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
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15
Turn right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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16
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
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17
Continue on M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
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18
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
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19
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
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20
Turn right onto 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
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21
Keep slight left to continue on North Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
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22
Continue on Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
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23
Turn right
35.9 mi · 43 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
4.5 mi · 6 min
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25
Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines
1 km · 1 min
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26
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
9.4 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights
1348 ft · 35 sec
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28
Turn left onto 63rd Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · 63rd Street
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29
Turn right onto Vine Street
2147 ft · 59 sec · Vine Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cedar Falls and West Des Moines.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Longest stretch
Turn right
35.9 mi · 00h 43m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny leaving Cedar Falls and 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 Cedar Falls to West Des Moines?
The road trip is about 132 miles (212.4 km) and usually takes 02h 03m 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?
Albion is a useful midpoint, sitting about 56.5 miles from Cedar Falls and 75.5 miles from West Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 92.3 miles (148.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.7 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 2:22 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.57 one way or $35.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny around Cedar Falls and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near West Des Moines.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cedar Falls and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 92.36 mi (148.64 km).
#1 Cedar Falls
The largest city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
| Population | 40,231 |
| Coordinates | 42.5277600, -92.4454700 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| Country | United States |
#2 West Des Moines
The most populous city in Dallas County, Iowa.
| Population | 69,057 |
| Coordinates | 41.5772100, -93.7113300 |
| Altitude | 252 |
| Country | United States |
End: Vine Street (-93.71133, 41.577301)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 212 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.57 | $35.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.82 | $39.64 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.69 | $43.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $24.72 | $49.43 |
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 · May 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.