Charlotte to Des Moines: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Charlotte from Des Moines?

The distance from Charlotte to Des Moines is 818.4 miles (1317.1 km) as the crow flies. Des Moines is located NW of Charlotte. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1040.4 miles, taking about 19h 40min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 9min. Both are located in United States — Charlotte in North Carolina 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 Charlotte 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.