Des Moines to Rocky Mountain: Road Trip Guide & Distance

634.4 miles 1021 km · straight line
761.3 miles estimated 1225.2 km · driving distance
15h 19min estimated drive time
$73 - $90 estimated fuel cost
~1h 47min flight time
266° W bearing direction

How far is Des Moines from Rocky Mountain?

The distance from Des Moines to Rocky Mountain is 634.4 miles (1021 km) as the crow flies. Rocky Mountain is located W of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 761.3 miles, taking about 15h 19min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 47min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Rocky Mountain in Colorado.

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 Rocky Mountain. 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 Rocky Mountain

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 15h 19min $73 - $90 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 47min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~18h 23min $61–$114* Budget
Train ~19h 55min $91–$266* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & Rocky Mountain

Quick Facts

Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Rocky Mountain
40.34°N, 105.68°W
America/Denver
3658m elevation
Explore more routes from Rocky Mountain

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 211 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 53 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 39.3 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients