Des Moines to Seattle: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1462.8 miles 2354.2 km · straight line
1758.9 miles actual route 2830.6 km · driving distance
30h 23min estimated drive time
$169 - $208 estimated fuel cost
~3h 27min flight time
296° WNW bearing direction

How far is Des Moines from Seattle?

The distance from Des Moines to Seattle is 1462.8 miles (2354.2 km) as the crow flies. Seattle is located WNW of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1758.9 miles, taking about 30h 23min. A direct flight would take roughly 3h 27min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Seattle in Washington.

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 Seattle. 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 Seattle

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 30h 23min $169 - $208 Flexible stops
Fly ~3h 27min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~36h 28min $141–$264* Budget
Train ~39h 30min $211–$616* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & Seattle

Quick Facts

Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Seattle
47.61°N, 122.33°W
America/Los_Angeles
56m elevation
Explore more routes from Seattle

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 488 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 122 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 17 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM