Des Moines to El Paso: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from El Paso?

The distance from Des Moines to El Paso is 982.1 miles (1580.6 km) as the crow flies. El Paso is located SW of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1132.1 miles, taking about 21h 45min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 29min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and El Paso in Texas.

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 Des Moines and El Paso. 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.