Des Moines to Moorhead: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from Moorhead?

The distance from Des Moines to Moorhead is 397 miles (638.9 km) as the crow flies. Moorhead is located NNW of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 476.4 miles, taking about 9h 35min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 18min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Moorhead in Minnesota.

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. 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.

Coordinates come from public place data for Des Moines and Moorhead. 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.