Des Moines to Wausau: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from Wausau?

The distance from Des Moines to Wausau is 307.6 miles (495.1 km) as the crow flies. Wausau is located NE of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 384.6 miles, taking about 7h 44min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 7min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Wausau 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 Wausau. 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.