Des Moines to Washington DC: Road Trip Guide & Distance
How far is Des Moines from Washington DC?
The distance from Des Moines to Washington DC is 892.7 miles (1436.6 km) as the crow flies. Washington DC is located E of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1015.9 miles, taking about 19h 0min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 18min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Washington DC in District of Columbia.
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 Washington DC. 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 Washington DC
Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & Washington DC
- 1567 mi
- 2219 mi
- 3158 mi
- 4108 mi
- 5361 mi
Quick Facts
Did You Know?
- At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 298 hours of non-stop walking
- By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 74 hours
- You could travel this distance about 27.9 times to circle the Earth's equator