Des Moines to Pinnacles: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1513.3 miles 2435.4 km · straight line
1816 miles estimated 2922.5 km · driving distance
36h 32min estimated drive time
$175 - $215 estimated fuel cost
~3h 33min flight time
266° W bearing direction

How far is Des Moines from Pinnacles?

The distance from Des Moines to Pinnacles is 1513.3 miles (2435.4 km) as the crow flies. Pinnacles is located W of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1816 miles, taking about 36h 32min. A direct flight would take roughly 3h 33min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Pinnacles in California.

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 Pinnacles. 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.

How to Get from Des Moines to Pinnacles

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 36h 32min $175 - $215 Flexible stops
Fly ~3h 33min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~43h 50min $145–$272* Budget
Train ~47h 30min $218–$636* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & Pinnacles

Quick Facts

Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Pinnacles
36.49°N, 121.18°W
America/Los_Angeles
1028m elevation
Explore more routes from Pinnacles

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 504 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 126 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 16.5 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients