Des Moines to Mesa Verde: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from Mesa Verde?

The distance from Des Moines to Mesa Verde is 848.7 miles (1365.8 km) as the crow flies. Mesa Verde is located WSW of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1018.4 miles, taking about 20h 29min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 12min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Mesa Verde in Colorado.

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 Mesa Verde. 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.