Des Moines to Ponca City: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from Ponca City?

The distance from Des Moines to Ponca City is 384.7 miles (619.1 km) as the crow flies. Ponca City is located SSW of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 461.6 miles, taking about 9h 17min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 16min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Ponca City in Oklahoma.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. 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.

Coordinates come from public place data for Des Moines and Ponca City. 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.