Des Moines to Yosemite: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1395.4 miles 2245.6 km · straight line
1674.4 miles estimated 2694.7 km · driving distance
33h 41min estimated drive time
$161 - $198 estimated fuel cost
~3h 18min flight time
268° W bearing direction

How far is Des Moines from Yosemite?

The distance from Des Moines to Yosemite is 1395.4 miles (2245.6 km) as the crow flies. Yosemite is located W of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1674.4 miles, taking about 33h 41min. A direct flight would take roughly 3h 18min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Yosemite in California.

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. 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. 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 Yosemite. 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.

How to Get from Des Moines to Yosemite

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 33h 41min $161 - $198 Flexible stops
Fly ~3h 18min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~40h 25min $134–$251* Budget
Train ~43h 47min $201–$586* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & Yosemite

Quick Facts

Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Yosemite
37.87°N, 119.54°W
America/Los_Angeles
1209m elevation
Explore more routes from Yosemite

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 465 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 116 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 17.8 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients