Des Moines to Steamboat Springs: Road Trip Guide & Distance

691.8 miles 1113.3 km · straight line
830.2 miles estimated 1336 km · driving distance
16h 42min estimated drive time
$80 - $98 estimated fuel cost
~1h 53min flight time
268° W bearing direction

How far is Des Moines from Steamboat Springs?

The distance from Des Moines to Steamboat Springs is 691.8 miles (1113.3 km) as the crow flies. Steamboat Springs is located W of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 830.2 miles, taking about 16h 42min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 53min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Steamboat Springs in Colorado.

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 Steamboat Springs. 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.

How to Get from Des Moines to Steamboat Springs

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 16h 42min $80 - $98 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 53min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~20h 2min $66–$125* Budget
Train ~21h 43min $100–$291* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & Steamboat Springs

Quick Facts

Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Steamboat Springs
40.48°N, 106.83°W
America/Denver
2051m elevation
Explore more routes from Steamboat Springs

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 231 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 58 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 36 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients