Des Moines to Raleigh: Road Trip Guide & Distance

900.7 miles 1449.5 km · straight line
1087.3 miles actual route 1749.8 km · driving distance
20h 44min estimated drive time
$105 - $129 estimated fuel cost
~2h 19min flight time
112° ESE bearing direction

How far is Des Moines from Raleigh?

The distance from Des Moines to Raleigh is 900.7 miles (1449.5 km) as the crow flies. Raleigh is located ESE of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1087.3 miles, taking about 20h 44min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 19min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Raleigh in North Carolina.

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 Raleigh. 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 Raleigh

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 20h 44min $105 - $129 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 19min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~24h 53min $87–$163* Budget
Train ~26h 57min $130–$381* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & Raleigh

Quick Facts

Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Raleigh
35.78°N, 78.64°W
America/New_York
96m elevation
Explore more routes from Raleigh

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 300 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 75 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 27.6 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM