Buffalo, New York to Des Moines: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Buffalo, New York from Des Moines?

The distance from Buffalo, New York to Des Moines is 758.7 miles (1221 km) as the crow flies. Des Moines is located W of Buffalo, New York. By car, the driving distance is approximately 910.4 miles, taking about 18h 19min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 2min. Both are located in United States — Buffalo, New York in New York 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. 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 Buffalo, New York 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.