Ann Arbor to Des Moines: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Ann Arbor from Des Moines?

The distance from Ann Arbor to Des Moines is 510 miles (820.8 km) as the crow flies. Des Moines is located W of Ann Arbor. By car, the driving distance is approximately 612.1 miles, taking about 12h 19min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 32min. Both are located in United States — Ann Arbor in Michigan 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.

Coordinates come from public place data for Ann Arbor 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.