Ames to Des Moines: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Ames from Des Moines?

The distance from Ames to Des Moines is 30.9 miles (49.8 km) as the crow flies. Des Moines is located S of Ames. By car, the driving distance is approximately 40.2 miles, taking about 49min. A direct flight would take roughly 34min. Both are located in United States.

This is a very short trip, perfect for a quick morning drive or an easy commute. 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 Ames 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.