Des Moines to Waukesha: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from Waukesha?

The distance from Des Moines to Waukesha is 292.6 miles (470.9 km) as the crow flies. Waukesha is located ENE of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 365.7 miles, taking about 7h 21min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 5min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Waukesha in Wisconsin.

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

Coordinates come from public place data for Des Moines and Waukesha. 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.