Des Moines to Great Bend: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from Great Bend?

The distance from Des Moines to Great Bend is 351.5 miles (565.7 km) as the crow flies. Great Bend is located SW of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 421.8 miles, taking about 8h 29min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 12min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Great Bend in Kansas.

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 Des Moines and Great Bend. 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.