Columbus to Des Moines by train
Des Moines lies 911 km (566 mi) west of Columbus, -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.
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| Columbus | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Population | 913,175 | 214,133 |
| Elevation | 242 m (794 ft) | 264 m (866 ft) |
| Time now | UTC-4 (America/New_York) | UTC-5 (America/Chicago) |
| Stations on record | Toledo and Ohio Central Railroad Station | Des Moines Union Station, East Des Moines Union Depot |
| Postal codes | 43085–43291 | 50301–50983 |
Clocks in Des Moines are 1 h behind Columbus right now, so a 12 h 20 min journey lands only 11 h 20 min later by the destination clock.
Where to book trains from Columbus to Des Moines
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Staying in Des Moines
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Book a hotel in Des Moines
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 Des Moines from Columbus?
911 km (566 mi) in a straight line, west of Columbus; by road roughly 1,112 km (691 mi).
How long does it take to get from Columbus to Des Moines 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 Columbus and Des Moines?
Des Moines is 1 h behind at the moment (America/Chicago against America/New_York).
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.