Chicago Heights to Des Moines: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Chicago Heights from Des Moines?

The distance from Chicago Heights to Des Moines is 309.7 miles (498.4 km) as the crow flies. Des Moines is located W of Chicago Heights. By car, the driving distance is approximately 387.1 miles, taking about 7h 47min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 7min. Both are located in United States — Chicago Heights 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 Chicago Heights 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.