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

The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Bettendorf, IA is about 176.6 miles (284.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 165.3 miles (266 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 22m 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
176.6 mi
02h 41m
Flight
165.27 mi
265.97 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from West Des Moines.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
165.27 mi
Kilometers
265.97 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
176.6 mi
Kilometers
284.21 km
Drive Time
02h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bettendorf
Wed, Apr 22, 9:39 PM CDT
Return by in West Des Moines
Thu, Apr 23, 12:21 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Des Moines
2026-04-22T18:58
Arrive Bettendorf
Wed, Apr 22, 9:39 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:41 AM to 12:41 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:08 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in West Des Moines
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
Williamsburg
IA

City in Iowa

From West Des Moines
88 mi
01h 20m
To Bettendorf
88.6 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph S
Destination
79°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Vine Street

    2147 ft · 59 sec · Vine Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 63rd Street;1st Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · 63rd Street;1st Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward I-235 east

    1690 ft · 41 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway

    9.3 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport

    1476 ft · 36 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Davenport

    1628 ft · 40 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    159.5 mi · 2 hr 53 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 74 East: Bettendorf, Davenport

    2614 ft · 45 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    4.3 mi · 5 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 67: US 67, Grant Street, State Street, Riverfront

    1740 ft · 48 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Grant Street

    557 ft · 18 sec · Grant Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto 12th Street

    669 ft · 39 sec · 12th Street

  13. 13

    Turn left

    23 m · 3 sec

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
160 mi · 90%
John MacVicar Freeway
9.26 mi · 5%
I 74 East
4.75 mi · 3%
63rd Street
0.53 mi
1st Street
0.53 mi
Vine Street
0.41 mi
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight left

159 mi · 02h 53m

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 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.3 mi
165.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Williamsburg
01h 20m from West Des Moines
Leave By
1:08 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving West Des Moines and Sunny near Bettendorf.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 176.6 miles (284.2 km) and usually takes 02h 41m 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?

Williamsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88 miles from West Des Moines and 88.6 miles from Bettendorf.

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

The direct path is about 165.3 miles (266 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.3 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 1:08 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.49 one way or $46.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around West Des Moines and Sunny near Bettendorf.

Stop Ideas Near Williamsburg

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

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

RAIL

Ottumwa station

79 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

86 mi away
418 North Adams Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Bettendorf. Straight-line distance: 165.27 mi (265.97 km).

West Des Moines

#1 West Des Moines

The most populous city in Dallas County, Iowa.

Population69,057
Coordinates41.5772100, -93.7113300
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Bettendorf

#2 Bettendorf

City in Scott County, Iowa, United States

Population36,665
Coordinates41.5244800, -90.5156900
Altitude173
CountryUnited States
Start: Vine Street (-93.71133, 41.577301)
End: Gilbert Street (-90.515723, 41.524401)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 284 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.23 gal
23.59 L · about $23.49
Round trip
$46.99
12.46 gal · 47.18 L
Estimated CO2
55.4 kg one way
Round trip: 110.7 kg / 244 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.49 $46.99
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.50 $52.99
Premium $4.65 $28.99 $57.99
Diesel $5.30 $33.04 $66.09

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 22, 2026

There is no time difference between West Des Moines and Bettendorf. The current time is 18:58:51.

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.