Des Moines to West Lafayette: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from West Lafayette?

The distance from Des Moines to West Lafayette is 359.2 miles (578.1 km) as the crow flies. West Lafayette is located E of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 431 miles, taking about 8h 40min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 13min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and West Lafayette in Indiana.

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 West Lafayette. 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.