Des Moines to Vail: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from Vail?

The distance from Des Moines to Vail is 681.4 miles (1096.6 km) as the crow flies. Vail is located W of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 817.7 miles, taking about 16h 27min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 52min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Vail 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 Vail. 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.