Des Moines to Fort Collins: Road Trip Guide & Distance

600.3 miles 966.1 km · straight line
720.4 miles estimated 1159.3 km · driving distance
14h 29min estimated drive time
$69 - $85 estimated fuel cost
~1h 42min flight time
267° W bearing direction

How far is Des Moines from Fort Collins?

The distance from Des Moines to Fort Collins is 600.3 miles (966.1 km) as the crow flies. Fort Collins is located W of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 720.4 miles, taking about 14h 29min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 42min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Fort Collins in Colorado.

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.

Coordinates come from public place data for Des Moines and Fort Collins. 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 Des Moines to Fort Collins

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 14h 29min $69 - $85 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 42min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~17h 23min $58–$108* Budget
Train ~18h 50min $86–$252* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & Fort Collins

Quick Facts

Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Fort Collins
40.59°N, 105.08°W
America/Denver
1525m elevation
Explore more routes from Fort Collins

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 200 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 50 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 41.5 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients