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

The driving distance from Tiffin, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 112.8 miles (181.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 106.1 miles (170.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 38m 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
112.85 mi
01h 49m
Flight
106.14 mi
170.81 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Tiffin.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
106.14 mi
Kilometers
170.81 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
112.85 mi
Kilometers
181.62 km
Drive Time
01h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Des Moines
Thu, Apr 16, 2:14 AM CDT
Return by in Tiffin
Thu, Apr 16, 4:03 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Tiffin
2026-04-16T00:24
Arrive West Des Moines
Thu, Apr 16, 2:14 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:49 AM to 11:49 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:52 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Tiffin
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
Grinnell
IA

City in Poweshiek County, Iowa, United States

From Tiffin
56 mi
00h 54m
To West Des Moines
56.8 mi
00h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East 3rd Street

    1030 ft · 52 sec · East 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Roberts Ferry Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · South Roberts Ferry Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right

    1906 ft · 46 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    99.3 mi · 1 hr 47 min

  5. 5

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

    1 km · 1 min

  6. 6

    Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    9.4 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  7. 7

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

    1348 ft · 35 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto 63rd Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · 63rd Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Vine Street

    2147 ft · 59 sec · Vine Street

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
10 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Roberts Ferry Road
100 mi · 89%
John MacVicar Freeway
9.38 mi · 8%
63rd Street
1.14 mi · 1%
I 235 West
0.63 mi · 1%
Vine Street
0.41 mi
IA 28
0.26 mi
Longest Stretch

South Roberts Ferry Road

Merge slight left

99.3 mi · 01h 47m

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
01h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.7 mi
106.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Grinnell
00h 54m from Tiffin
Leave By
2:52 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Tiffin and Sunny near West Des Moines.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 112.8 miles (181.6 km) and usually takes 01h 49m 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?

Grinnell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 56 miles from Tiffin and 56.8 miles from West Des Moines.

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

The direct path is about 106.1 miles (170.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.7 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 2:52 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.01 one way or $30.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Tiffin and Sunny near West Des Moines.

Stop Ideas Near Grinnell

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

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

RAIL

Ottumwa station

84 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Osceola

117 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Tiffin and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 106.14 mi (170.81 km).

Tiffin

#1 Tiffin

Human settlement in Johnson County, Iowa, United States of America

Population4,629
Coordinates41.7058500, -91.6629500
Altitude215
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: East 3rd Street (-91.662957, 41.705968)
End: Vine Street (-93.71133, 41.577301)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 182 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.98 gal
15.07 L · about $15.01
Round trip
$30.02
7.96 gal · 30.14 L
Estimated CO2
35.4 kg one way
Round trip: 70.7 kg / 156 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $15.01 $30.02
Mid-grade $4.25 $16.93 $33.85
Premium $4.65 $18.52 $37.05
Diesel $5.30 $21.11 $42.22

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Tiffin and West Des Moines. The current time is 00:24:49.

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.