Des Moines to Pendleton: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from Pendleton?

The distance from Des Moines to Pendleton is 1284 miles (2066.4 km) as the crow flies. Pendleton is located WNW of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1540.8 miles, taking about 31h 0min. A direct flight would take roughly 3h 5min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Pendleton in Oregon.

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 Pendleton. 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.