How far is West Des Moines, IA from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is about 127 miles (204.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 110.6 miles (178 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 17m 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 08m.
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, United States
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 Rapids.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines and Cedar Rapids.
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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
33.5 mi · 39 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
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11
Take the exit right
2792 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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13
Continue on 73rd Street
26.8 mi · 31 min · 73rd Street
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
1.6 km · 2 min
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15
Continue straight
8.3 mi · 10 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
1323 ft · 32 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
687 ft · 14 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
1332 ft · 32 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
2737 ft · 39 sec · Avenue of the Saints
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20
Take the exit slight right
1398 ft · 34 sec
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21
Keep slight left
37 m · 5 sec
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22
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi · 2 min · 32nd Street Northeast
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23
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
56 m · 10 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast
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24
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
54 m · 8 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast
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25
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
130 m · 19 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Des Moines and Cedar Rapids.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Lincoln Highway
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 00h 43m
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 Rapids.
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 Rapids?
The road trip is about 127 miles (204.4 km) and usually takes 02h 08m 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 63.2 miles from West Des Moines and 63.8 miles from Cedar Rapids.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 110.6 miles (178 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.4 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 2:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.89 one way or $33.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around West Des Moines and Sunny near Cedar Rapids.
Stop Ideas Near Le Grand
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 Le Grand.
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. Straight-line distance: 110.57 mi (177.95 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 Rapids
The second most populous city in Iowa.
| Population | 134,027 |
| Coordinates | 42.0083300, -91.6440700 |
| Altitude | 247 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tiperary Drive Northeast (-91.643986, 42.00833)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 204 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.89 | $33.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.05 | $38.11 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.85 | $41.70 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.76 | $47.52 |
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.