Austin, Texas to Des Moines: Road Trip Guide & Distance

815.1 miles 1311.7 km · straight line
927.7 miles actual route 1493 km · driving distance
16h 12min estimated drive time
$89 - $110 estimated fuel cost
~2h 8min flight time
15° NNE bearing direction

How far is Austin, Texas from Des Moines?

The distance from Austin, Texas to Des Moines is 815.1 miles (1311.7 km) as the crow flies. Des Moines is located NNE of Austin, Texas. By car, the driving distance is approximately 927.7 miles, taking about 16h 12min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 8min. Both are located in United States — Austin, Texas in Texas 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. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Austin, Texas and Des Moines. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Austin, Texas to Des Moines

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 16h 12min $89 - $110 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 8min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~19h 26min $74–$139* Budget
Train ~21h 4min $111–$325* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Austin, Texas & Des Moines

Quick Facts

Austin, Texas
30.27°N, 97.74°W
America/Chicago
149m elevation
Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Explore more routes from Des Moines

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 272 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 68 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 30.6 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM