Des Moines to Nashville: Road Trip Guide & Distance

525 miles 844.9 km · straight line
656 miles actual route 1055.7 km · driving distance
12h 33min estimated drive time
$63 - $78 estimated fuel cost
~1h 33min flight time
133° SE bearing direction

How far is Des Moines from Nashville?

The distance from Des Moines to Nashville is 525 miles (844.9 km) as the crow flies. Nashville is located SE of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 656 miles, taking about 12h 33min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 33min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Nashville in Tennessee.

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. 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 Nashville. 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 Nashville

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 12h 33min $63 - $78 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 33min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~15h 4min $52–$98* Budget
Train ~16h 19min $79–$230* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & Nashville

Quick Facts

Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Nashville
36.16°N, 86.78°W
America/Chicago
182m elevation
Explore more routes from Nashville

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 175 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 44 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 47.4 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM