Des Moines to Highland Park: Road Trip Guide & Distance

302.4 miles 486.6 km · straight line
378 miles estimated 608.3 km · driving distance
7h 36min estimated drive time
$36 - $45 estimated fuel cost
~1h 6min flight time
80° E bearing direction

How far is Des Moines from Highland Park?

The distance from Des Moines to Highland Park is 302.4 miles (486.6 km) as the crow flies. Highland Park is located E of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 378 miles, taking about 7h 36min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 6min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Highland Park in Illinois.

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 Highland Park. 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 Highland Park

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 7h 36min $36 - $45 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 6min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~9h 7min $30–$57* Budget
Train ~7h 13min $45–$132* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & Highland Park

Quick Facts

Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Highland Park
42.18°N, 87.80°W
America/Chicago
212m elevation
Explore more routes from Highland Park

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 101 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 25 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 82.4 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients