How far is West Des Moines, IA from Rockwell City, IA?
The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Rockwell City, IA is about 97.7 miles (157.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 73.8 miles (118.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 34m 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 17m.
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.
Human settlement in Greene County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Des Moines and Rockwell City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines and Rockwell City.
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1
Start on Vine Street
143 m · 15 sec · Vine Street
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2
Turn right onto 8th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 8th Street
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3
Continue on 73rd Street
1465 ft · 36 sec · 73rd Street
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4
Take the ramp left toward I-235 west
1686 ft · 41 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 North, I 80 East: Minneapolis, Chicago
2325 ft · 57 sec · Ramp 72 E
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7
Merge slight left onto I-35 north, I-80 east: Chicago, Minneapolis
3.4 mi · 4 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward IA 141 West: Grimes
1.3 km · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Southeast Grimes Boulevard
2.3 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
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10
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
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11
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
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12
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 19 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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13
Take the exit straight toward US 169: Ogden, Adel
1910 ft · 55 sec
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14
Turn right onto N Avenue
1.8 mi · 2 min · N Avenue
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15
Continue on H Avenue
2650 ft · 46 sec · H Avenue
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16
Turn left onto 335th Street
3.1 mi · 4 min · 335th Street
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17
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Avenue
143 m · 13 sec · East Avenue
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18
Continue on 335th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 335th Street
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19
Turn right onto D Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · D Avenue
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20
Turn straight onto 325th Street
2.5 mi · 3 min · 325th Street
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21
Turn straight onto Apple Road
1.1 mi · 1 min · Apple Road
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22
Continue on 144 Diagonal
6.9 mi · 10 min · 144 Diagonal
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23
Continue on U Avenue
3.3 mi · 5 min · U Avenue
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24
Continue on West Main Street
1844 ft · 58 sec · West Main Street
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25
Turn left onto South 9th Street
151 m · 16 sec · South 9th Street
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26
Continue on 9th N Street
1005 ft · 27 sec · 9th N Street
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27
Continue on 9th Street North
919 ft · 17 sec · 9th Street North
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28
Continue on U Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · U Avenue
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29
Continue on Mc Intyre Street
1 km · 1 min · Mc Intyre Street
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30
Continue on U Avenue
6.8 mi · 9 min · U Avenue
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31
Continue on Indiana Avenue
4 mi · 6 min · Indiana Avenue
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32
Turn left onto 360th Street
14.9 mi · 20 min · 360th Street
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33
Continue on 5th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 5th Street
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34
Turn right onto Maple Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Maple Street
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35
Continue on Sigourney Avenue
8.1 mi · 11 min · Sigourney Avenue
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36
Turn left onto 270th Street
3.2 mi · 5 min · 270th Street
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37
Continue on East High Street
1.5 km · 2 min · East High Street
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38
Turn left onto 4th Street
1300 ft · 57 sec · 4th Street
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39
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Des Moines and Rockwell City.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Northwest Granger Drive
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 00h 19m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving West Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Rockwell City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Des Moines to Rockwell City?
The road trip is about 97.7 miles (157.2 km) and usually takes 02h 17m 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?
Grand Junction is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.8 miles from West Des Moines and 48.8 miles from Rockwell City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 73.8 miles (118.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.9 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 1:56 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.01 one way or $26.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around West Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Rockwell City.
Stop Ideas Near Grand Junction
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 Grand Junction.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Rockwell City. Straight-line distance: 73.75 mi (118.69 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 Rockwell City
City in and county seat of Calhoun County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 2,082 |
| Coordinates | 42.3952600, -94.6338700 |
| Altitude | 375 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rockwell City (-94.63387, 42.39526)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 157 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $13.01 | $26.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $14.67 | $29.35 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $16.06 | $32.11 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $18.30 | $36.60 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.