Des Moines to State College: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from State College?

The distance from Des Moines to State College is 820.4 miles (1320.3 km) as the crow flies. State College is located E of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 984.5 miles, taking about 19h 48min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 9min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and State College in Pennsylvania.

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. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility. 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 State College. 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.