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

The driving distance from Hiawatha, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 124.7 miles (200.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 109.2 miles (175.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 10m 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
124.69 mi
02h 05m
Flight
109.21 mi
175.75 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hiawatha.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
109.21 mi
Kilometers
175.75 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
124.69 mi
Kilometers
200.67 km
Drive Time
02h 05m

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 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Des Moines
Tue, May 12, 8:24 PM CDT
Return by in Hiawatha
Tue, May 12, 10:29 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hiawatha
2026-05-12T18:19
Arrive West Des Moines
Tue, May 12, 8:24 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:05 AM to 12:05 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:20 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hiawatha
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
Le Grand
IA

City in Marshall County, Iowa, United States

From Hiawatha
62 mi
01h 02m
To West Des Moines
62.8 mi
01h 02m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Today

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 8:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph SW
Destination
82°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 to 21 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Heefner Street

    63 m · 14 sec · Heefner Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 10th Avenue

    120 m · 15 sec · 10th Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Blairs Ferry Road Northeast

    1.5 km · 2 min · Blairs Ferry Road Northeast

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Edgewood Road Northeast

    1561 ft · 35 sec · Edgewood Road Northeast

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward IA 100 west

    2165 ft · 53 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight right

    6.6 mi · 8 min

  7. 7

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

    1.2 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto 16th Avenue Southwest

    2.4 mi · 3 min · 16th Avenue Southwest

  9. 9

    Continue on 73rd Street

    24.4 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Lincoln Highway

    37.3 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway

  11. 11

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

    1818 ft · 46 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard

    33.7 mi · 40 min · Marshalltown Boulevard

  13. 13

    Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue

    1.1 km · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

  14. 14

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

    4.5 mi · 6 min

  15. 15

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

    1 km · 1 min

  16. 16

    Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    9.4 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  17. 17

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

    1348 ft · 35 sec

  18. 18

    Turn left onto 63rd Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · 63rd Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Vine Street

    2147 ft · 59 sec · Vine Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Hiawatha 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
20 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 30%
Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi · 27%
73rd Street
24.4 mi · 20%
John MacVicar Freeway
9.38 mi · 8%
IA 100 west
7.02 mi · 6%
I 80 west
4.47 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Lincoln Highway

Continue on Lincoln Highway

37.3 mi · 00h 43m

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 05m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.5 mi
109.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Le Grand
01h 02m from Hiawatha
Leave By
2:20 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Hiawatha 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 Hiawatha to West Des Moines?

The road trip is about 124.7 miles (200.7 km) and usually takes 02h 05m 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?

Le Grand is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62 miles from Hiawatha and 62.8 miles from West Des Moines.

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

The direct path is about 109.2 miles (175.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.5 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 2:20 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.59 one way or $33.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Hiawatha and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near West Des Moines.

Stop Ideas Near Le Grand

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

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

RAIL

Ottumwa station

114 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hiawatha and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 109.21 mi (175.75 km).

Hiawatha

#1 Hiawatha

City in Iowa

Population7,466
Coordinates42.0358300, -91.6821200
Altitude258
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: Heefner Street (-91.68212, 42.035825)
End: Vine Street (-93.71133, 41.577301)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 201 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.4 gal
16.66 L · about $16.59
Round trip
$33.18
8.8 gal · 33.32 L
Estimated CO2
39.1 kg one way
Round trip: 78.2 kg / 172 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.59 $33.18
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.71 $37.43
Premium $4.65 $20.48 $40.96
Diesel $5.30 $23.34 $46.68

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

There is no time difference between Hiawatha and West Des Moines. The current time is 18:19:27.

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.