Albany, New York to Des Moines: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1018.6 miles 1639.2 km · straight line
1222.2 miles estimated 1967 km · driving distance
24h 35min estimated drive time
$118 - $145 estimated fuel cost
~2h 33min flight time
273° W bearing direction

How far is Albany, New York from Des Moines?

The distance from Albany, New York to Des Moines is 1018.6 miles (1639.2 km) as the crow flies. Des Moines is located W of Albany, New York. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1222.2 miles, taking about 24h 35min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 33min. Both are located in United States — Albany, New York in New York and Des Moines in Iowa.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Albany, New York and Des Moines. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Albany, New York to Des Moines

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 24h 35min $118 - $145 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 33min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~29h 30min $98–$183* Budget
Train ~31h 58min $147–$428* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Albany, New York & Des Moines

Quick Facts

Albany, New York
42.65°N, 73.76°W
America/New_York
45m elevation
Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Explore more routes from Des Moines

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 340 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 85 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 24.4 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients