Des Moines to Pittsburgh: Road Trip Guide & Distance

714.2 miles 1149.4 km · straight line
857.1 miles estimated 1379.3 km · driving distance
17h 14min estimated drive time
$82 - $102 estimated fuel cost
~1h 56min flight time
92° E bearing direction

How far is Des Moines from Pittsburgh?

The distance from Des Moines to Pittsburgh is 714.2 miles (1149.4 km) as the crow flies. Pittsburgh is located E of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 857.1 miles, taking about 17h 14min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 56min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 17h 14min $82 - $102 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 56min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~20h 41min $69–$129* Budget
Train ~22h 24min $103–$300* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & Pittsburgh

Quick Facts

Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Pittsburgh
40.44°N, 80.00°W
America/New_York
367m elevation
Explore more routes from Pittsburgh

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 238 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 60 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 34.9 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients