Des Moines to Philadelphia: Road Trip Guide & Distance

970.6 miles 1562.1 km · straight line
1078.6 miles actual route 1735.8 km · driving distance
19h 50min estimated drive time
$104 - $128 estimated fuel cost
~2h 27min flight time
91° E bearing direction

How far is Des Moines from Philadelphia?

The distance from Des Moines to Philadelphia is 970.6 miles (1562.1 km) as the crow flies. Philadelphia is located E of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1078.6 miles, taking about 19h 50min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 27min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Philadelphia in Pennsylvania.

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 Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 19h 50min $104 - $128 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 27min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~23h 48min $86–$162* Budget
Train ~25h 47min $129–$378* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & Philadelphia

Quick Facts

Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Philadelphia
39.95°N, 75.17°W
America/New_York
12m elevation
Explore more routes from Philadelphia

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 324 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 81 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 25.7 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM