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Trip from Cedar Rapids, IA to West Des Moines, IA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

2h 34m

Distance

126.8 mi

204 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 25m ★
6 AM
2h 35m
8 AM
2h 56m
10 AM
2h 42m
12 PM
2h 40m
3 PM
2h 43m
5 PM
2h 55m
8 PM
2h 29m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Polk, Dallas, Warren, and Madison counties, Iowa, United States

West Des Moines, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Cedar Rapids, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 126.8 miles and takes about 2h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Lincoln Highway, Marshalltown Boulevard, 73rd Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 37.3 miles on Lincoln Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.82 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

63.4 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a 2h 34m drive with frequent turns across 126.8 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lincoln Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 37.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 126.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.6 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
2.4 mi into trip | ~4m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 west: Waterloo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 west: W...
5
2.6 mi into trip | ~5m in

Turn left toward I-380 south, IA 27 south, IA 100 west: Iowa City

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south, IA 100 west: I...
7
110.6 mi into trip | ~2h 11m in | US 65

Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
7
115 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in

Take the exit toward I 235 West: Des Moines

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 137A Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
8
125 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in

Take the exit toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 4 Toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Cedar Rapids, IA and West Des Moines, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown and Des Moines.

Marshalltown

11.1 mi in | ~15m

Des Moines

75.9 mi in | ~1h 30m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Lincoln Highway 37.3 mi 43m
Marshalltown Boulevard 33.7 mi 39m
73rd Street 24.4 mi 28m
John MacVicar Freeway 9.4 mi 12m
Collins Road Northeast 8.2 mi 9m
US 65 4.5 mi 5m
16th Avenue Southwest 2.4 mi 2m
32nd Street Northeast 1.2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Lincoln Highway — 37.3 mi, about 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Rapids, IA and West Des Moines, IA.

1

Start on Tiperary Drive Northeast

0.1 mi · 32 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast
2

Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast

184 ft · 13 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast
3

Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast

1.2 mi · 2 min · 32nd Street Northeast
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
5

Merge onto I 380; IA 27

0.5 mi · 40 sec · Avenue of the Saints
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward IA 100
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 20 sec
Toward I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 west: Waterloo
8

Turn left

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south, IA 100 west: Iowa City
9

Merge onto IA 100

8.2 mi · 9 min · Collins Road Northeast
10

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
11

Merge onto US 30; US 218

2.4 mi · 2 min · 16th Avenue Southwest
12

Continue on US 30; US 218

24 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street
13

Continue on US 30

37 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
15

Turn left onto IA 330

34 mi · 39 min · Marshalltown Boulevard
16

Continue on US 65; IA 330

0.7 mi · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
17

Take the exit onto US 65

4.5 mi · 5 min · US 65
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 137A Toward I 235 West: Des Moines Use the slight left lane.
19

Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

9.4 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Exit 4 Toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Turn left onto IA 28

1.1 mi · 2 min · 63rd Street
22

Turn right onto Vine Street

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Vine Street
23

Arrive at destination

Vine Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.4 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.3 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles or 1h 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 63.4 miles or 1h 15m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 3m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Des Moines, IA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Cedar Rapids, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Cedar Rapids, IA

This is one driving day of about 126.8 miles and 2h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Lincoln Highway for about 37.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 63.4 mi from Cedar Rapids, IA · 1h 15m into the drive

city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cedar Falls, IA

63 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Ames, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cedar Falls, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 63.4 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in West Des Moines, IA

The final approach into West Des Moines, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around West Des Moines, IA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.82 one way

$39.65 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $21.77 $43.53
premium $4.89 $24.40 $48.80
diesel $5.61 $28.00 $55.99

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 38 0 $13.31 $6.09
Efficient EV 31.7 0 $11.09 $5.07
EV Truck/SUV 50.7 0 $17.75 $8.12

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Cedar Rapids, IA

Late night in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday

Local time

5:32 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 15 mph 27% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:22AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:22AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

West Des Moines, IA

Late night in West Des Moines on Wednesday

Local time

5:32 AM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

32 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 34m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Cedar Rapids, IA to West Des Moines, IA covers 126.8 miles and takes about 2h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lincoln Highway, Marshalltown Boulevard, 73rd Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.4 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.82 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 126.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.6 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Cedar Rapids, IA and West Des Moines, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown and Des Moines.

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Explore More

Return Trip

West Des Moines, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

Plan the drive back the other way.

126.5 mi 2h 35m

Continue From West Des Moines, IA

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