Des Moines to San Antonio: Road Trip Guide & Distance

883.5 miles 1421.8 km · straight line
1005.9 miles actual route 1618.9 km · driving distance
17h 39min estimated drive time
$97 - $119 estimated fuel cost
~2h 17min flight time
200° SSW bearing direction

How far is Des Moines from San Antonio?

The distance from Des Moines to San Antonio is 883.5 miles (1421.8 km) as the crow flies. San Antonio is located SSW of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1005.9 miles, taking about 17h 39min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 17min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and San Antonio in Texas.

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. 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 San Antonio. 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 San Antonio

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 17h 39min $97 - $119 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 17min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~21h 11min $80–$151* Budget
Train ~22h 57min $121–$352* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & San Antonio

Quick Facts

Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
San Antonio
29.42°N, 98.49°W
America/Chicago
198m elevation
Explore more routes from San Antonio

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 295 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 74 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 28.2 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM