Des Moines to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada?

The distance from Des Moines to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada is 934.4 miles (1503.8 km) as the crow flies. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada is located ENE of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1121.3 miles, taking about 22h 33min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 23min. Des Moines is in Iowa, United States, while Ottawa, Ontario, Canada is in Ontario, Canada.

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. Keep in mind this route crosses international borders. Don't forget your passport, and check current border crossing times and vehicle insurance requirements. 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 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 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.