Boulder to Des Moines: Road Trip Guide & Distance

618.2 miles 994.9 km · straight line
741.9 miles estimated 1193.9 km · driving distance
14h 55min estimated drive time
$71 - $88 estimated fuel cost
~1h 45min flight time
76° ENE bearing direction

How far is Boulder from Des Moines?

The distance from Boulder to Des Moines is 618.2 miles (994.9 km) as the crow flies. Des Moines is located ENE of Boulder. By car, the driving distance is approximately 741.9 miles, taking about 14h 55min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 45min. Both are located in United States — Boulder in Colorado 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.

Coordinates come from public place data for Boulder 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.

How to Get from Boulder to Des Moines

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 14h 55min $71 - $88 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 45min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~17h 54min $59–$111* Budget
Train ~19h 24min $89–$260* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Boulder & Des Moines

Quick Facts

Boulder
40.02°N, 105.27°W
America/Denver
1655m 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 206 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 52 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 40.3 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients