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

The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Hiawatha, IA is about 123.9 miles (199.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 109.2 miles (175.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 04m 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
123.9 mi
02h 32m
Flight
109.21 mi
175.75 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
109.21 mi
Kilometers
175.75 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
123.9 mi
Kilometers
199.39 km
Drive Time
02h 32m

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 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Hiawatha
Tue, May 12, 9:28 PM CDT
Return by in West Des Moines
Wed, May 13, 12:00 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Des Moines
2026-05-12T18:56
Arrive Hiawatha
Tue, May 12, 9:28 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:32 AM to 12:32 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:26 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
Le Grand
IA

City in Marshall County, Iowa, United States

From West Des Moines
61.8 mi
01h 16m
To Hiawatha
62.1 mi
01h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 to 21 mph WSW
Destination
81°F
Today

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 8:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Vine Street

    1051 ft · 33 sec · Vine Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 4th Street

    1949 ft · 56 sec · 4th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Grand Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Grand Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 56th Street

    1 km · 1 min · 56th Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward I-235 east

    1656 ft · 40 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway

    8.8 mi · 11 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  7. 7

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

    1476 ft · 36 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Davenport

    1628 ft · 40 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    3.4 mi · 4 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant

    2428 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road

    33.5 mi · 39 min · Northeast Hubbell Road

  13. 13

    Take the exit right

    2792 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway

    37 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on 73rd Street

    26.8 mi · 31 min · 73rd Street

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

    1.6 km · 2 min

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    6.6 mi · 8 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward Edgewood Road

    1454 ft · 36 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight left to continue on Edgewood Road

    705 ft · 20 sec

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Edgewood Road Northeast

    2120 ft · 51 sec · Edgewood Road Northeast

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Blairs Ferry Road Northeast

    1.5 km · 2 min · Blairs Ferry Road Northeast

  22. 22

    Turn left onto 10th Avenue

    120 m · 13 sec · 10th Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Heefner Street

    63 m · 9 sec · Heefner Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Heefner Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
24 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 30%
Northeast Hubbell Road
34 mi · 27%
73rd Street
26.8 mi · 22%
John MacVicar Freeway
8.76 mi · 7%
IA 100 East
7.63 mi · 6%
I 80 East
3.75 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

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.

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 32m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.7 mi
109.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Le Grand
01h 16m from West Des Moines
Leave By
1:26 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving West Des Moines and Chance Rain Showers near Hiawatha.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 123.9 miles (199.4 km) and usually takes 02h 32m 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 61.8 miles from West Des Moines and 62.1 miles from Hiawatha.

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

The direct path is about 109.2 miles (175.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.7 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 1:26 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.48 one way or $32.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around West Des Moines and Chance Rain Showers near Hiawatha.

Stop Ideas Near Le Grand

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

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

RAIL

Ottumwa station

114 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Hiawatha. Straight-line distance: 109.21 mi (175.75 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
Hiawatha

#2 Hiawatha

City in Iowa

Population7,466
Coordinates42.0358300, -91.6821200
Altitude258
CountryUnited States
Start: West Des Moines (-93.71133, 41.57721)
End: Hiawatha (-91.68212, 42.03583)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 199 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 07m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 03m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.37 gal
16.55 L · about $16.48
Round trip
$32.96
8.74 gal · 33.1 L
Estimated CO2
38.8 kg one way
Round trip: 77.7 kg / 171 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.48 $32.96
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.59 $37.17
Premium $4.65 $20.34 $40.68
Diesel $5.30 $23.18 $46.36

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between West Des Moines and Hiawatha. The current time is 18:56:01.

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.