How far is West Des Moines, IA from Cedar Falls, IA?
The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is about 131.5 miles (211.6 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.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Des Moines and Cedar Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines and Cedar Falls.
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1
Start on Vine Street
2147 ft · 59 sec · Vine Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto 63rd Street;1st Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · 63rd Street;1st Street
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3
Take the ramp right toward I-235 east
1690 ft · 41 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
9.3 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
1476 ft · 36 sec
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
1628 ft · 40 sec
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7
Merge slight left
3.4 mi · 4 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
2428 ft · 1 min
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9
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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10
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
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11
Turn left onto Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
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12
Continue on South Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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13
Continue on 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
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14
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
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15
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
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16
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
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17
Continue on County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
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18
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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19
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
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20
Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
2388 ft · 58 sec
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21
Merge slight left
11.2 mi · 13 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
2133 ft · 58 sec
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23
Turn left onto Grundy Road
1.6 km · 1 min · Grundy Road
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24
Continue on University Avenue
3.5 mi · 5 min · University Avenue
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward University Avenue
27 m · 2 sec · University Avenue
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26
Exit the roundabout onto University Avenue
1.7 mi · 4 min · University Avenue
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27
Turn left onto Main Street
1027 ft · 21 sec · Main Street
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28
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street
24 m · 2 sec · Main Street
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29
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Main Street
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30
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street
23 m · 2 sec · Main Street
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31
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
6 m · 1 sec · Main Street
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Des Moines and Cedar Falls.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Northeast Hubbell Road
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 00h 42m
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.
Sunny leaving West Des Moines and Sunny near Cedar Falls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Des Moines to Cedar Falls?
The road trip is about 131.5 miles (211.6 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 56.4 miles from West Des Moines and 75.1 miles from Cedar Falls.
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 39.2 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 $17.50 one way or $34.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around West Des Moines and Sunny near Cedar Falls.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Cedar Falls. Straight-line distance: 92.36 mi (148.64 km).
#1 West Des Moines
The most populous city in Dallas County, Iowa.
| Population | 69,057 |
| Coordinates | 41.5772100, -93.7113300 |
| Altitude | 252 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cedar Falls
The largest city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
| Population | 40,231 |
| Coordinates | 42.5277600, -92.4454700 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| Country | United States |
End: Main Street (-92.44555, 42.52776)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 212 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 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 | $17.50 | $34.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.73 | $39.47 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.59 | $43.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $24.61 | $49.22 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.