New Orleans to Ottumwa: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is New Orleans from Ottumwa?

The distance from New Orleans to Ottumwa is 776 miles (1248.8 km) as the crow flies. Ottumwa is located N of New Orleans. By car, the driving distance is approximately 931.2 miles, taking about 18h 44min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 4min. Both are located in United States — New Orleans in Louisiana and Ottumwa in Iowa.

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. Heading North for this distance usually means noticeable weather changes. Make sure to check the forecast for your destination before hitting the road. 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 New Orleans and Ottumwa. 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.