How far is West Des Moines, IA from Tripoli, IA?
The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Tripoli, IA is about 141.9 miles (228.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 113 miles (181.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 17m 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 03h 08m.
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 Grundy County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Des Moines and Tripoli.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines and Tripoli.
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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
11.2 mi · 13 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
2133 ft · 1 min
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25
Turn left onto Grundy Road
1.6 km · 1 min · Grundy Road
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26
Continue on University Avenue
3.5 mi · 5 min · University Avenue
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27
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Greenhill Road
2 m · 1 sec · Greenhill Road
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28
Exit the roundabout onto Greenhill Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Greenhill Road
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29
Turn left onto Avenue of the Saints
2.7 mi · 4 min · Avenue of the Saints
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30
Take the exit slight right toward US 218 South: Waterloo
1.4 km · 2 min
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31
Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway
1.1 km · 48 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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32
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway Street: Airport
2340 ft · 1 min
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33
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
1496 ft · 36 sec · Airport Boulevard
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34
Turn right onto West Airline Highway
3 mi · 5 min · West Airline Highway
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35
Turn left onto Logan Avenue
6.9 mi · 8 min · Logan Avenue
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36
Continue on Larrabee Avenue
11.3 mi · 13 min · Larrabee Avenue
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37
Turn right onto 170th Street
3.5 mi · 5 min · 170th Street
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38
Continue on 7th Avenue Southwest
2681 ft · 51 sec · 7th Avenue Southwest
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39
Turn left onto South Main Street
2086 ft · 35 sec · South Main Street
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40
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Des Moines and Tripoli.
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.
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving West Des Moines and Chance Rain Showers near Tripoli.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Des Moines to Tripoli?
The road trip is about 141.9 miles (228.3 km) and usually takes 03h 08m 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?
Conrad is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.9 miles from West Des Moines and 71 miles from Tripoli.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 113 miles (181.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.89 one way or $37.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around West Des Moines and Chance Rain Showers near Tripoli.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Tripoli. Straight-line distance: 112.98 mi (181.82 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 Tripoli
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,375 |
| Coordinates | 42.8080400, -92.2582300 |
| Altitude | 314 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tripoli (-92.25823, 42.80804)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 228 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.89 | $37.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.31 | $42.62 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.32 | $46.63 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $26.57 | $53.15 |
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.