How far is West Des Moines, IA from Elkader, IA?
The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Elkader, IA is about 187.7 miles (302 km), with a travel time of about 04h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 147.3 miles (237.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 02m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 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 Elkader.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines and Elkader.
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1
Start on Vine Street
1051 ft · 33 sec · Vine Street
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2
Turn left onto 4th Street
1949 ft · 56 sec · 4th Street
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3
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Grand Avenue
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4
Turn left onto 56th Street
1 km · 1 min · 56th Street
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5
Take the ramp right toward I-235 east
1656 ft · 40 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
8.8 mi · 11 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
1476 ft · 36 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
1628 ft · 40 sec
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9
Merge slight left
3.4 mi · 4 min
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10
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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11
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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12
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
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13
Turn left onto Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
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14
Continue on South Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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15
Continue on 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
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16
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
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17
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
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18
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
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19
Continue on County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
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20
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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21
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
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22
Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
2388 ft · 58 sec
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23
Merge slight left
29.1 mi · 34 min
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24
Keep slight left
28.1 mi · 32 min
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25
Take the exit slight right
2049 ft · 57 sec
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26
Turn left onto Washburn Avenue
12.5 mi · 17 min · Washburn Avenue
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27
Continue on C Avenue
3 mi · 4 min · C Avenue
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28
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward 40th Street
6 m · 1 sec · 40th Street
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29
Exit the roundabout onto 40th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 40th Street
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30
Continue on State Highway 3
2.9 mi · 4 min · State Highway 3
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31
Continue on West Mission Street
1.3 km · 1 min · West Mission Street
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32
Turn left onto Elkader Street
1.3 km · 2 min · Elkader Street
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33
Continue on State Highway 13
13.1 mi · 18 min · State Highway 13
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34
Turn left onto Strawberry Point Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Strawberry Point Road
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35
Continue on South 1st Street
1177 ft · 20 sec · South 1st Street
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Des Moines and Elkader.
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 longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving West Des Moines and Sunny near Elkader.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Des Moines to Elkader?
The road trip is about 187.7 miles (302 km) and usually takes 04h 02m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Holland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.7 miles from West Des Moines and 93.9 miles from Elkader.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 147.3 miles (237.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.96 one way or $49.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around West Des Moines and Sunny near Elkader.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Elkader. Straight-line distance: 147.31 mi (237.08 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 |
End: Elkader (-91.40542, 42.85387)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 302 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.96 | $49.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.15 | $56.31 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.81 | $61.62 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.11 | $70.22 |
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 · May 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.