Boulder to Ottumwa: Road Trip Guide & Distance

678.4 miles 1091.7 km · straight line
814 miles estimated 1310 km · driving distance
16h 23min estimated drive time
$78 - $96 estimated fuel cost
~1h 52min flight time
80° E bearing direction

How far is Boulder from Ottumwa?

The distance from Boulder to Ottumwa is 678.4 miles (1091.7 km) as the crow flies. Ottumwa is located E of Boulder. By car, the driving distance is approximately 814 miles, taking about 16h 23min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 52min. Both are located in United States — Boulder in Colorado and Ottumwa 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 Boulder and Ottumwa. 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 Ottumwa

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 16h 23min $78 - $96 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 52min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~19h 40min $65–$122* Budget
Train ~21h 18min $98–$285* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Boulder & Ottumwa

Quick Facts

Boulder
40.02°N, 105.27°W
America/Denver
1655m elevation
Ottumwa
41.02°N, 92.41°W
America/Chicago
205m elevation
Explore more routes from Ottumwa

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 226 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 57 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 36.7 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients