Des Moines to Mesa: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1143.2 miles 1839.8 km · straight line
1386.4 miles actual route 2231.2 km · driving distance
25h 33min estimated drive time
$133 - $164 estimated fuel cost
~2h 48min flight time
246° WSW bearing direction

How far is Des Moines from Mesa?

The distance from Des Moines to Mesa is 1143.2 miles (1839.8 km) as the crow flies. Mesa is located WSW of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1386.4 miles, taking about 25h 33min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 48min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Mesa in Arizona.

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. 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 Mesa

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 25h 33min $133 - $164 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 48min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~30h 40min $111–$208* Budget
Train ~33h 13min $166–$485* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & Mesa

Quick Facts

Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Mesa
33.42°N, 111.83°W
America/Phoenix
378m elevation
Explore more routes from Mesa

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 381 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 95 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 21.8 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM