Fargo to Des Moines by train
Des Moines lies 639 km (397 mi) south-east of Fargo, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.
By rail the journey is about 8 h 39 min at the speeds typical of United States rail, over roughly 780 km (484 mi) of track; the operator’s timetable is the number that counts.
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| Fargo | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Population | 118,523 | 214,133 |
| Elevation | 279 m (915 ft) | 264 m (866 ft) |
| Time now | UTC-5 (America/Chicago) | UTC-5 (America/Chicago) |
| Stations on record | Fargo Railway Station, Northern Pacific Railway Depot | Des Moines Union Station, East Des Moines Union Depot |
| Postal codes | 58102–58126 | 50301–50983 |
Where to book trains from Fargo to Des Moines
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Staying in Des Moines
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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 Fargo?
639 km (397 mi) in a straight line, south-east of Fargo; by road roughly 780 km (484 mi).
How long does it take to get from Fargo to Des Moines by train?
About 8 h 39 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Fargo and Des Moines?
No, both are on America/Chicago at the moment.
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 13 September 2026. Hotel 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.