Des Moines to Rapid City: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from Rapid City?

The distance from Des Moines to Rapid City is 515.9 miles (830.3 km) as the crow flies. Rapid City is located WNW of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 619.1 miles, taking about 12h 27min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 32min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Rapid City in South Dakota.

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.

Coordinates come from public place data for Des Moines and Rapid 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.