Des Moines to Houston: Road Trip Guide & Distance

822.9 miles 1324.4 km · straight line
931.9 miles actual route 1499.7 km · driving distance
17h 2min estimated drive time
$90 - $110 estimated fuel cost
~2h 9min flight time
187° S bearing direction

How far is Des Moines from Houston?

The distance from Des Moines to Houston is 822.9 miles (1324.4 km) as the crow flies. Houston is located S of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 931.9 miles, taking about 17h 2min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 9min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Houston in Texas.

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. As you head South, expect warmer temperatures. Make sure your car's AC is working well before embarking on this journey. 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 Houston. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. 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 Houston

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 17h 2min $90 - $110 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 9min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~20h 26min $75–$140* Budget
Train ~22h 9min $112–$326* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & Houston

Quick Facts

Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Houston
29.76°N, 95.37°W
America/Chicago
15m elevation
Explore more routes from Houston

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 274 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 69 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 30.3 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM