How far is Rockwell City, IA from West Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Rockwell City, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 101.7 miles (163.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 73.8 miles (118.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 44m 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 01h 52m.
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.
Human settlement in Greene County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rockwell City and West Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockwell City and West Des Moines.
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1
Start on 4th Street
1300 ft · 59 sec · 4th Street
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2
Turn right onto West High Street
1.5 km · 2 min · West High Street
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3
Turn straight onto 270th Street
3.2 mi · 5 min · 270th Street
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4
Turn right onto Sigourney Avenue
8.1 mi · 11 min · Sigourney Avenue
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5
Continue on Maple Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Maple Street
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6
Turn left onto 5th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 5th Street
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7
Continue on 360th Street
14.9 mi · 20 min · 360th Street
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8
Turn right onto Indiana Avenue
4 mi · 5 min · Indiana Avenue
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9
Continue on U Avenue
6.8 mi · 9 min · U Avenue
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10
Continue on Mc Intyre Street
1 km · 1 min · Mc Intyre Street
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11
Continue on U Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · U Avenue
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12
Continue on 9th Street North
919 ft · 17 sec · 9th Street North
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13
Continue on 9th N Street
1005 ft · 25 sec · 9th N Street
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14
Continue on South 9th Street
151 m · 18 sec · South 9th Street
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15
Turn right onto West Main Street
1844 ft · 53 sec · West Main Street
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16
Continue on U Avenue
3.3 mi · 5 min · U Avenue
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17
Turn slight left onto 144 Diagonal
6.9 mi · 10 min · 144 Diagonal
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18
Continue on Apple Road
1.1 mi · 1 min · Apple Road
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19
Continue on 325th Street
2.5 mi · 3 min · 325th Street
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20
Continue on D Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · D Avenue
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21
Turn left onto 335th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 335th Street
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22
Continue on East Avenue
143 m · 14 sec · East Avenue
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23
Turn right onto 335th Street
3.1 mi · 4 min · 335th Street
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24
At the end of the road, turn right onto H Avenue
2650 ft · 41 sec · H Avenue
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25
Continue on N Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · N Avenue
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26
Take the exit left toward IA 141 east: Urbandale
1677 ft · 46 sec
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27
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 19 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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28
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
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29
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
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30
Continue on Grimes Boulevard
3087 ft · 50 sec · Grimes Boulevard
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31
Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard
1.8 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
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32
Take the exit slight right toward I-35 south, I-80 west: Kansas City, Council Bluffs
1.1 km · 1 min
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33
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 4 min
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34
Keep slight left
2012 ft · 26 sec
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35
Take the exit slight right toward I 235 East: West Des Moines, Des Moines
2327 ft · 57 sec · Ramp 72 I
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36
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
2.8 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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37
Take the exit slight right toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
2657 ft · 1 min
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38
Turn right onto 8th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 8th Street
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39
Turn left onto Vine Street
143 m · 13 sec · Vine Street
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40
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockwell City and West 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
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 00h 19m
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.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Rockwell City and Chance Rain Showers near West Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rockwell City to West Des Moines?
The road trip is about 101.7 miles (163.6 km) and usually takes 01h 52m 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?
Grand Junction is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.1 miles from Rockwell City and 52.6 miles from West Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 73.8 miles (118.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:46 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.54 one way or $27.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Rockwell City and Chance Rain Showers near West Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Grand Junction
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 Grand Junction.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rockwell City and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 73.75 mi (118.69 km).
#1 Rockwell City
City in and county seat of Calhoun County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 2,082 |
| Coordinates | 42.3952600, -94.6338700 |
| Altitude | 375 |
| 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: 164 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $13.54 | $27.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $15.27 | $30.54 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $16.71 | $33.42 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $19.04 | $38.08 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.