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

The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Tiffin, IA is about 112.2 miles (180.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 106.1 miles (170.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 16m 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
112.23 mi
02h 08m
Flight
106.14 mi
170.81 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
106.14 mi
Kilometers
170.81 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
112.23 mi
Kilometers
180.61 km
Drive Time
02h 08m

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.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tiffin
Thu, Apr 16, 4:09 AM CDT
Return by in West Des Moines
Thu, Apr 16, 6:17 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Des Moines
2026-04-16T02:01
Arrive Tiffin
Thu, Apr 16, 4:09 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:08 AM to 12:08 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:14 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
Grinnell
IA

City in Poweshiek County, Iowa, United States

From West Des Moines
56 mi
01h 04m
To Tiffin
56.2 mi
01h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph WSW
Destination
74°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    99.2 mi · 1 hr 47 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Tiffin

    1808 ft · 51 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Ireland Avenue Southwest

    145 m · 10 sec · Ireland Avenue Southwest

  12. 12

    Continue on South Roberts Ferry Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · South Roberts Ferry Road

  13. 13

    Turn right onto West 3rd Street

    1030 ft · 45 sec · West 3rd Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East 3rd Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
99.8 mi · 89%
John MacVicar Freeway
8.76 mi · 8%
South Roberts Ferry Road
0.85 mi · 1%
Grand Avenue
0.71 mi · 1%
56th Street
0.63 mi · 1%
4th Street
0.37 mi
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight left

99.2 mi · 01h 47m

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 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.1 mi
106.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Grinnell
01h 04m from West Des Moines
Leave By
2:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving West Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Tiffin.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 112.2 miles (180.6 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?

Grinnell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 56 miles from West Des Moines and 56.2 miles from Tiffin.

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

The direct path is about 106.1 miles (170.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.1 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 2:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.93 one way or $29.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around West Des Moines and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Tiffin.

Stop Ideas Near Grinnell

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

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

RAIL

Ottumwa station

84 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Osceola

117 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Tiffin. Straight-line distance: 106.14 mi (170.81 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
Tiffin

#2 Tiffin

Human settlement in Johnson County, Iowa, United States of America

Population4,629
Coordinates41.7058500, -91.6629500
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Start: West Des Moines (-93.71133, 41.57721)
End: Tiffin (-91.66295, 41.70585)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 181 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.96 gal
14.99 L · about $14.93
Round trip
$29.87
7.92 gal · 29.98 L
Estimated CO2
35.2 kg one way
Round trip: 70.4 kg / 155 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $14.93 $29.87
Mid-grade $4.25 $16.84 $33.68
Premium $4.65 $18.43 $36.86
Diesel $5.30 $21.00 $42.01

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between West Des Moines and Tiffin. The current time is 02:01:53.

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.