Des Moines to Las Vegas: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1212.5 miles 1951.3 km · straight line
1416.2 miles actual route 2279.1 km · driving distance
24h 19min estimated drive time
$136 - $168 estimated fuel cost
~2h 56min flight time
259° W bearing direction

How far is Des Moines from Las Vegas?

The distance from Des Moines to Las Vegas is 1212.5 miles (1951.3 km) as the crow flies. Las Vegas is located W of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1416.2 miles, taking about 24h 19min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 56min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Las Vegas in Nevada.

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 Las Vegas. 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 Las Vegas

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 24h 19min $136 - $168 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 56min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~29h 11min $113–$212* Budget
Train ~31h 37min $170–$496* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & Las Vegas

Quick Facts

Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Las Vegas
36.17°N, 115.14°W
America/Los_Angeles
610m elevation
Explore more routes from Las Vegas

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 404 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 101 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 20.5 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM