Des Moines to Indianapolis: Road Trip Guide & Distance

410.8 miles 661.1 km · straight line
474.5 miles actual route 763.7 km · driving distance
8h 46min estimated drive time
$46 - $56 estimated fuel cost
~1h 20min flight time
105° ESE bearing direction

How far is Des Moines from Indianapolis?

The distance from Des Moines to Indianapolis is 410.8 miles (661.1 km) as the crow flies. Indianapolis is located ESE of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 474.5 miles, taking about 8h 46min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 20min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Indianapolis in Indiana.

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 Indianapolis. 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 Indianapolis

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 8h 46min $46 - $56 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 20min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~10h 31min $38–$71* Budget
Train ~8h 20min $57–$166* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & Indianapolis

Quick Facts

Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Indianapolis
39.77°N, 86.16°W
America/New_York
218m elevation
Explore more routes from Indianapolis

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 137 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 34 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 60.6 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM