Carbondale to Des Moines: Road Trip Guide & Distance

355 miles 571.3 km · straight line
426 miles estimated 685.6 km · driving distance
8h 34min estimated drive time
$41 - $50 estimated fuel cost
~1h 13min flight time
320° NW bearing direction

How far is Carbondale from Des Moines?

The distance from Carbondale to Des Moines is 355 miles (571.3 km) as the crow flies. Des Moines is located NW of Carbondale. By car, the driving distance is approximately 426 miles, taking about 8h 34min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 13min. Both are located in United States — Carbondale in Illinois 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 Carbondale 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 Carbondale to Des Moines

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 8h 34min $41 - $50 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 13min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~10h 17min $34–$64* Budget
Train ~8h 8min $51–$149* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Carbondale & Des Moines

Quick Facts

Carbondale
37.73°N, 89.22°W
America/Chicago
126m 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 118 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 30 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 70.1 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients