Ames to Des Plaines: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Ames from Des Plaines?

The distance from Ames to Des Plaines is 294.3 miles (473.7 km) as the crow flies. Des Plaines is located E of Ames. By car, the driving distance is approximately 367.9 miles, taking about 7h 24min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 6min. Both are located in United States — Ames in Iowa and Des Plaines in Illinois.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility.

Coordinates come from public place data for Ames and Des Plaines. 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.