Des Moines to Columbus by train
Columbus lies 911 km (566 mi) east of Des Moines, +1 h on the clock. What the numbers say about getting there.
By rail the journey is about 12 h 20 min at the speeds typical of United States rail, over roughly 1,112 km (691 mi) of track; the operator’s timetable is the number that counts.
| Des Moines | Columbus | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Population | 214,133 | 913,175 |
| Elevation | 264 m (866 ft) | 242 m (794 ft) |
| Time now | UTC-5 (America/Chicago) | UTC-4 (America/New_York) |
| Stations on record | Des Moines Union Station, East Des Moines Union Depot | Toledo and Ohio Central Railroad Station |
| Postal codes | 50301–50983 | 43085–43291 |
Clocks in Columbus are 1 h ahead of Des Moines right now, so a 12 h 20 min journey lands 13 h 20 min later by the destination clock.
Where to book trains from Des Moines to Columbus
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Staying in Columbus
Our booking partner lists 724 places to stay in Columbus. Of the 535 with a star rating, the largest group is 3-star (204), and 15 are five-star. Across 195 properties with at least 50 reviews, the average guest score is 7.9 out of 10. Guests have left 98,126 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Columbus
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Columbus from Des Moines?
911 km (566 mi) in a straight line, east of Des Moines; by road roughly 1,112 km (691 mi).
How long does it take to get from Des Moines to Columbus by train?
About 12 h 20 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Des Moines and Columbus?
Columbus is 1 h ahead at the moment (America/New_York against America/Chicago).
Where can I stay in Columbus?
Our booking partner lists 724 places to stay in Columbus, bookable on this site.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.