Des Moines to Great Falls: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from Great Falls?

The distance from Des Moines to Great Falls is 958.7 miles (1542.8 km) as the crow flies. Great Falls is located WNW of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1150.4 miles, taking about 23h 9min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 26min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Great Falls in Montana.

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 Great Falls. 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.