Des Moines to New York: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1020.3 miles 1642 km · straight line
1109.6 miles actual route 1785.7 km · driving distance
20h 44min estimated drive time
$107 - $131 estimated fuel cost
~2h 33min flight time
87° E bearing direction

How far is Des Moines from New York?

The distance from Des Moines to New York is 1020.3 miles (1642 km) as the crow flies. New York is located E of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1109.6 miles, taking about 20h 44min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 33min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and New York in New York.

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 York. 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 New York

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 20h 44min $107 - $131 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 33min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~24h 53min $89–$166* Budget
Train ~26h 57min $133–$388* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & New York

Quick Facts

Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
New York
40.71°N, 74.01°W
America/New_York
10m elevation
Explore more routes from New York

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 340 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 85 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 24.4 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM