There are 7 ways to get from Ames to Madison by bus, car, shuttle, plane, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), or taxi
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Bus via Rochester
best- Take the bus from Ames to Owatonnabus
- Take the bus from Owatonna to Rochesterbus
- Take the bus from Rochester to Madisonbus
9h 50m$100–176Drive 265.2 mi
cheapest- Drive from Ames to Madisoncar 265.2 mi
4h 52m$49–70Shuttle to Des Moines, fly to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field
- Take a shuttle bus from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IA
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN)plane DSM - MSN
5h 55m$194–942Bus
- Take the bus from Ames to St. Paulbus Jefferson Lines 802 / ...
- Take the bus from Saint Paul Union Depot to Madisonbus FlixBus 2548
9h 50m$123–175Taxi to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, fly to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field
- Take the taxi from Ames to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)taxi
- Fly from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN)plane FOD - MSN
6h 6m$237–723Shuttle to Des Moines, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, bus
- Take a shuttle bus from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IA
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane DSM - ORD
- Take the bus from Multi-Modal/Rental Car Facility to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campusbus
7h$151–625Taxi to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, bus
- Take the taxi from Ames to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)taxi
- Fly from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane FOD - ORD
- Take the bus from Multi-Modal/Rental Car Facility to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campusbus
6h 52m$204–526
Ames to Madison by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Ames to Madison is to drive which costs $45 - $70 and takes 4h 52m.
The fastest way to get from Ames to Madison is to drive which takes 4h 52m and costs $45 - $70.
No, there is no direct bus from Ames to Madison. However, there are services departing from Ames and arriving at Madison via Owatonna and Rochester. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 9h 50m.
The distance between Ames and Madison is 399 miles. The road distance is 266.7 miles.
The best way to get from Ames to Madison without a car is to bus via Rochester which takes 9h 50m and costs $95 - $180.
It takes approximately 9h 50m to get from Ames to Madison, including transfers.
Ames to Madison bus services, operated by Jefferson Lines, depart from Ames station.
Ames to Madison bus services, operated by Jefferson Lines, arrive at St. Paul station.
Yes, the driving distance between Ames to Madison is 267 miles. It takes approximately 4h 52m to drive from Ames to Madison.
Book your Ames to Madison bus tickets online with Omio.
What companies run services between Ames, IA, USA and Madison, WI, USA?
You can take a bus from Ames to Madison via Owatonna and Rochester in around 9h 50m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Des Moines to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field via Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 52m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–750
Flights from Des Moines to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 48m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $240–1,200
Flights from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field via Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 3m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $90–550
Flights from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 24m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $180–900
Flights from Des Moines to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 38m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $45–330
Flights from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 27m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–250
- Phone
- +1-858-800-8898
- Website
- jeffersonlines.com
Bus from Ames to Owatonna
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 45m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $40–65
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $40–65
Bus from Rochester to Madison
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $50–75
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $50–75
Bus from Ames to St. Paul
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 55m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $55–80
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $55–80
Bus from Saint Paul Union Depot to Madison
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $65–95
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $65–95
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 19m
- Estimated price
- $140–180
Cyclone Cab
- Phone
- +1 515-233-3324
Cyclone Cab
- Phone
- +1 515-233-3324
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Booking & Getting There
There are 139+ hotels available in Madison.