Des Moines to Rochester, New York: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from Rochester, New York?

The distance from Des Moines to Rochester, New York is 823.4 miles (1325.2 km) as the crow flies. Rochester, New York is located ENE of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 988.1 miles, taking about 19h 53min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 9min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Rochester, New York in New York.

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 Rochester, New York. 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.