Albert Lea to Des Moines: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Albert Lea from Des Moines?

The distance from Albert Lea to Des Moines is 143 miles (230.2 km) as the crow flies. Des Moines is located S of Albert Lea. By car, the driving distance is approximately 178.8 miles, taking about 3h 36min. A direct flight would take roughly 47min. Both are located in United States — Albert Lea in Minnesota and Des Moines in Iowa.

For a drive of this length, it's recommended to plan at least one quick rest stop to stretch your legs and grab a coffee. Given the short distance, driving or taking a train is often faster and more convenient than dealing with airport security and flight boarding times.

Coordinates come from public place data for Albert Lea 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.