Appleton to Des Moines: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Appleton from Des Moines?

The distance from Appleton to Des Moines is 321.8 miles (517.9 km) as the crow flies. Des Moines is located WSW of Appleton. By car, the driving distance is approximately 386.2 miles, taking about 7h 46min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 9min. Both are located in United States — Appleton in Wisconsin and Des Moines in Iowa.

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. 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 Appleton 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.