Des Moines to Los Angeles: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from Los Angeles?

The distance from Des Moines to Los Angeles is 1434.8 miles (2309.1 km) as the crow flies. Los Angeles is located WSW of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1685 miles, taking about 29h 11min. A direct flight would take roughly 3h 23min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Los Angeles in California.

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 Los Angeles. 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.