Des Moines to San Francisco: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from San Francisco?

The distance from Des Moines to San Francisco is 1546.2 miles (2488.4 km) as the crow flies. San Francisco is located W of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1801.4 miles, taking about 30h 42min. A direct flight would take roughly 3h 37min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and San Francisco in California.

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 Francisco. 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.