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

The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Tipton, IA is about 145.4 miles (234 km), with a travel time of about 02h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 134 miles (215.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 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.
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
145.42 mi
02h 47m
Flight
133.99 mi
215.63 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
133.99 mi
Kilometers
215.63 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
145.42 mi
Kilometers
234.03 km
Drive Time
02h 47m

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 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tipton
Wed, Apr 15, 12:51 PM CDT
Return by in West Des Moines
Wed, Apr 15, 3:38 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Des Moines
2026-04-15T10:04
Arrive Tipton
Wed, Apr 15, 12:51 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:47 AM to 12:47 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:56 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
Brooklyn
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From West Des Moines
72.5 mi
01h 23m
To Tipton
72.9 mi
01h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Today

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 9:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph S
Destination
71°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    121.2 mi · 2 hr 11 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward West Liberty

    1558 ft · 37 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Garfield Avenue

    4.7 mi · 6 min · Garfield Avenue

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Cedar Valley Road

    6.7 mi · 9 min · Cedar Valley Road

  13. 13

    Continue on West South Street

    3068 ft · 1 min · West South Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Cedar Street

    1916 ft · 57 sec · Cedar Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto East 5th Street

    15 m · 3 sec · East 5th Street

  16. 16

    Turn right

    36 m · 9 sec

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
122 mi · 84%
John MacVicar Freeway
8.76 mi · 6%
Cedar Valley Road
6.67 mi · 5%
Garfield Avenue
4.66 mi · 3%
Grand Avenue
0.71 mi
56th Street
0.63 mi
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight left

121 mi · 02h 11m

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 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.4 mi
134 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brooklyn
01h 23m from West Des Moines
Leave By
12:56 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving West Des Moines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Tipton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 145.4 miles (234 km) and usually takes 02h 47m 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?

Brooklyn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.5 miles from West Des Moines and 72.9 miles from Tipton.

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

The direct path is about 134 miles (215.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.4 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 12:56 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.35 one way or $38.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around West Des Moines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Tipton.

Stop Ideas Near Brooklyn

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

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

RAIL

Ottumwa station

79 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

113 mi away
418 North Adams Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Tipton. Straight-line distance: 133.99 mi (215.63 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
Tipton

#2 Tipton

Town in Iowa

Population3,178
Coordinates41.7697400, -91.1279300
Altitude251
CountryUnited States
Start: West Des Moines (-93.71133, 41.57721)
End: Tipton (-91.12793, 41.76974)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 234 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 50m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 48m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.13 gal
19.42 L · about $19.35
Round trip
$38.69
10.26 gal · 38.84 L
Estimated CO2
45.6 kg one way
Round trip: 91.2 kg / 201 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.35 $38.69
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.82 $43.64
Premium $4.65 $23.88 $47.75
Diesel $5.30 $27.21 $54.42

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between West Des Moines and Tipton. The current time is 10:04:45.

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.