Des Moines to Chicago drive: Distance, time & best road trip stops
The best road trip stops on the Des Moines to Chicago drive are the Brooklyn Flag Display, Iowa City and Dixon, Illinois. The distance from Des Moines to Chicago by car is 334 miles, with a 5h10m driving time.
Planning a Des Moines to Chicago road trip itinerary
The drive from Des Moines to Chicago takes you from the capital of Iowa to one of the most exciting cities in the world.
Our favourite thing to do in Chicago
The Chicago architecture cruise has a phenomenal wow factor, with the boat gliding between some of the world’s most legendary skyscrapers.
We found the commentary matches the views, too. Expect a fascinating run-down of the city’s history – and plenty of surprising detail about the buildings you’re seeing.
Good things to do in Des Moines include the Adventureland Resort theme park, the Science Center of Iowa and the Pappajohn Sculpture Park.
Highly recommended Chicago experiences include an architecture river cruise, a gangsters and ghosts tour of famous Mob sites and a bike tour of the lakefront neighbourhoods. It’s also worth paying a visit to the Field Museum. Try, too, the 360 Chicago observation deck at the Hancock Tower and the Chicago Architecture Center.
Des Moines to Chicago distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Des Moines to Chicago is 334 miles. That makes for a driving time of around five hours and ten minutes. The quickest route goes along the I-80, then the I-88.
The best stops on a Des Moines to Chicago road trip itinerary are the Brooklyn Flag Display, Iowa City and Dixon, Illinois.
Des Moines to Chicago road trip attractions: Brooklyn Flag display
Brooklyn, Iowa, is a town that decided it needed a gimmick. And the gimmick it went for was massive flags.
The centerpiece of the Brooklyn Flag Display is a 20ft by 38ft US flag, flying from an 80ft pole. It is surrounded by the flags of all 50 states.
If this inspires you, then the Community of Flags store will gladly sell you some flags
Things to between Des Moines and Chicago: Iowa City
Iowa City is the former capital of Iowa, and is home to several historic attractions.
Highlights of Iowa City include the Old Capitol Building, Iowa’s first capitol now turned into a museum, and the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History.
You can also visit Mormon Handcart Park. This commemorates the early Mormon pioneers who crossed the country with just wooden, hand-pulled carts.
Des Moines to Chicago drive: Dixon, Illinois
Two famous American names got started around Dixon, Illinois. One is former president Ronald Reagan, who was born in Illinois. Between 1920 and 1924, he lived at what is now the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home. It’s a simple family house that is now on the National Register of Historic Places and open to visitors.
The other is John Deere, who was a handyman and toolmaker in the village of Grand Detour, just to the north of Chicago. His workshop would eventually morph into a tractor and agricultural machinery empire.
At the John Deere Historic Site, you can now watch blacksmithery demonstrations at a replica of Deere’s workshop and tour the original family home.
More Des Moines road trips
Iowa City to Des Moines | Omaha to Des Moines.
More Chicago road trips
Albany NY to Chicago | Ann Arbor to Chicago | Chicago to Asheville | Chicago to Aspen | Chicago to Atlanta | Chicago to Baltimore | Chicago to Birmingham AL | Bloomington IL to Chicago | Chicago to Boston | Chicago to Buffalo | Cedar Rapids to Chicago | Charlotte to Chicago | Chattanooga to Chicago | Cincinnati to Chicago | Cleveland to Chicago | Chicago to Colorado Springs | Columbus OH to Chicago | Davenport IA to Chicago | Dayton OH to Chicago | Denver to Chicago | Detroit to Chicago | Chicago to Fargo | Fort Wayne to Chicago | Chicago to Gatlinburg | Grand Rapids to Chicago | Chicago to Green Bay | Indianapolis to Chicago | Iowa City to Chicago | Chicago to Jacksonville | Kalamazoo to Chicago | Kansas City to Chicago | Chicago to Knoxville.
Lafayette IN to Chicago | Lansing MI to Chicago | Chicago to Lexington KY | Chicago to Lincoln NE | Chicago to Little Rock |Louisville to Chicago | Chicago to Madison WI | Chicago to Memphis | Chicago to Milwaukee | Chicago to Minneapolis | Moline IL to Chicago | Chicago to Nashville | Chicago to New Orleans | New York City to Chicago | Chicago to Niagara Falls.
Chicago to Omaha | Chicago to Peoria IL | Chicago to Pigeon Forge | Chicago to Pittsburgh | Chicago to Philadelphia | Chicago to Richmond VA | Rockford IL to Chicago | Chicago to San Antonio | Scranton to Chicago | Chicago to Sheboygan | Chicago to Springfield IL | South Bend to Chicago | St Louis to Chicago | Syracuse to Chicago | Toledo to Chicago | Chicago to Tulsa | Chicago to Washington DC | Chicago to Wichita | Chicago to Wisconsin Dells.