Des Moines to New Orleans: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from New Orleans?

The distance from Des Moines to New Orleans is 828 miles (1332.6 km) as the crow flies. New Orleans is located SSE of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 993.6 miles, taking about 19h 59min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 10min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and New Orleans in Louisiana.

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. 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 New Orleans. 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.