Des Moines to Watertown, South Dakota: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from Watertown, South Dakota?

The distance from Des Moines to Watertown, South Dakota is 288.4 miles (464.2 km) as the crow flies. Watertown, South Dakota is located NW of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 360.6 miles, taking about 7h 15min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 5min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Watertown, South Dakota in South Dakota.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. 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.

Coordinates come from public place data for Des Moines and Watertown, South Dakota. 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.