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Lincoln → Des Moines

Lincoln to Des Moines by train

Des Moines lies 271 km (168 mi) east of Lincoln, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.

By rail the journey is about 3 h 40 min at the speeds typical of United States rail, over roughly 330 km (205 mi) of track; the operator’s timetable is the number that counts.

LincolnDes Moines

Open Des Moines in Google Maps

The two ends, side by side
LincolnDes Moines
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
Population294,757214,133
Elevation366 m (1,201 ft)264 m (866 ft)
Time nowUTC-5 (America/Chicago)UTC-5 (America/Chicago)
Stations on recordRock Island DepotDes Moines Union Station, East Des Moines Union Depot
Postal codes68501–6858850301–50983

Where to book trains from Lincoln to Des Moines

AmtrakThe US national operator, and the only place to book most American rail. Fare tiers and refund rights are set at the point of sale, so booking direct matters here.Check times and fares on Amtrak (opens www.amtrak.com in a new tab)
OmioCompares trains, buses and some flights across European operators in one search.Explore train options on Omio (opens www.omio.com in a new tab)
Every link above leaves this site.

We take no bookings for these providers and hold no reservation with them. The provider you choose handles payment, confirmation, changes and refunds. How that works.

Staying in Des Moines

Live rooms and prices for Des Moines are in the search below.

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 Lincoln?

271 km (168 mi) in a straight line, east of Lincoln; by road roughly 330 km (205 mi).

How long does it take to get from Lincoln to Des Moines by train?

About 3 h 40 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.

Is there a time difference between Lincoln 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.