Des Moines to Pocatello: Road Trip Guide & Distance

964.9 miles 1552.9 km · straight line
1157.9 miles estimated 1863.5 km · driving distance
23h 18min estimated drive time
$111 - $137 estimated fuel cost
~2h 26min flight time
282° WNW bearing direction

How far is Des Moines from Pocatello?

The distance from Des Moines to Pocatello is 964.9 miles (1552.9 km) as the crow flies. Pocatello is located WNW of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1157.9 miles, taking about 23h 18min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 26min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Pocatello in Idaho.

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 Pocatello. 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 Pocatello

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 23h 18min $111 - $137 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 26min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~27h 58min $93–$174* Budget
Train ~30h 17min $139–$405* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & Pocatello

Quick Facts

Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Pocatello
42.87°N, 112.45°W
America/Boise
1360m elevation
Explore more routes from Pocatello

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 322 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 80 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 25.8 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients