Des Moines to Elizabethtown: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from Elizabethtown?

The distance from Des Moines to Elizabethtown is 492.7 miles (792.9 km) as the crow flies. Elizabethtown is located ESE of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 591.2 miles, taking about 11h 54min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 29min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Elizabethtown in Kentucky.

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. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility.

Coordinates come from public place data for Des Moines and Elizabethtown. 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.