Des Moines to Milwaukee: Road Trip Guide & Distance

308.8 miles 497 km · straight line
375.7 miles actual route 604.7 km · driving distance
7h 0min estimated drive time
$36 - $45 estimated fuel cost
~1h 7min flight time
69° ENE bearing direction

How far is Des Moines from Milwaukee?

The distance from Des Moines to Milwaukee is 308.8 miles (497 km) as the crow flies. Milwaukee is located ENE of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 375.7 miles, taking about 7h 0min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 7min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Milwaukee in Wisconsin.

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 Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 7h 0min $36 - $45 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 7min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~8h 24min $30–$56* Budget
Train ~6h 39min $45–$131* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & Milwaukee

Quick Facts

Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Milwaukee
43.04°N, 87.91°W
America/Chicago
188m elevation
Explore more routes from Milwaukee

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 103 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 26 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 80.6 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM