Des Moines to St. Louis: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from St. Louis?

The distance from Des Moines to St. Louis is 273.1 miles (439.5 km) as the crow flies. St. Louis is located SE of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 341.4 miles, taking about 6h 52min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 3min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and St. Louis in Missouri.

For a drive of this length, it's recommended to plan at least one quick rest stop to stretch your legs and grab a coffee. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility.

Coordinates come from public place data for Des Moines and St. Louis. 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.