Des Moines to Mount Rainier: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1431.4 miles 2303.6 km · straight line
1717.7 miles estimated 2764.3 km · driving distance
34h 33min estimated drive time
$165 - $203 estimated fuel cost
~3h 23min flight time
294° WNW bearing direction

How far is Des Moines from Mount Rainier?

The distance from Des Moines to Mount Rainier is 1431.4 miles (2303.6 km) as the crow flies. Mount Rainier is located WNW of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1717.7 miles, taking about 34h 33min. A direct flight would take roughly 3h 23min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Mount Rainier in Washington.

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 Mount Rainier. 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.

How to Get from Des Moines to Mount Rainier

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 34h 33min $165 - $203 Flexible stops
Fly ~3h 23min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~41h 28min $137–$258* Budget
Train ~44h 55min $206–$601* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & Mount Rainier

Quick Facts

Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Mount Rainier
46.85°N, 121.76°W
America/Los_Angeles
4392m elevation
Explore more routes from Mount Rainier

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 477 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 119 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 17.4 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients