There are 10 ways to get from Ames to Normal by shuttle, plane, bus, train, car, taxi, or bus (Greyhound)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Shuttle to Des Moines, fly to Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal
best- Take a shuttle bus from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IA
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal (BMI)plane DSM - BMI
6h 41m$173–791Drive 305.7 mi
cheapest- Drive from Ames to Normalcar 305.7 mi
5h 39m$56–81Bus, train
- Take the bus from Ames to Des Moinesbus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Bloomington-Normaltrain
11h 57m$67–291Bus, train via Saint Paul
- Take the bus from Ames to St. Paulbus
- Take the train from St. Paul-Minneapolis to Chicago Union Stationtrain
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Bloomington-Normaltrain
15h 27m$95–466Taxi to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, train
- 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 train from Chicago Union Station to Bloomington-Normaltrain
6h 47m$204–579Shuttle to Des Moines, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, train
- 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 train from Chicago Union Station to Bloomington-Normaltrain
7h 14m$166–768Drive to The Eastern Iowa Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, train
- Drive from Ames to Cedar-Rapids-Airport-CIDcar
- Fly from The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane CID - ORD
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Bloomington-Normaltrain
7h 17m$68–416Shuttle to Des Moines, fly to Lambert–St. Louis International Airport, train
- Take a shuttle bus from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IA
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Lambert–St. Louis International Airport (STL)plane DSM - STL
- Take the train from St. Louis to Bloomington-Normaltrain
7h 11m$223–1,053Bus via Oak Brook
- Take the bus from Ames to Des Moinesbus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Oakbrook Mall to Watterson Commonsbus
13h 38m$105–212Bus
- Take the bus from Ames to Des Moinesbus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Bloomingtonbus
14h 45m$83–191
Ames to Normal by bus, foot, and train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Ames to Normal is to drive which costs $55 - $85 and takes 5h 39m.
The fastest way to get from Ames to Normal is to drive which takes 5h 39m and costs $55 - $85.
No, there is no direct bus from Ames to Normal. However, there are services departing from Ames and arriving at Bloomington via Des Moines and Chicago Bus Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 14h 45m.
The distance between Ames and Normal is 308 miles. The road distance is 307.5 miles.
The best way to get from Ames to Normal without a car is to bus and train which takes 11h 57m and costs $65 - $300.
It takes approximately 6h 41m to get from Ames to Normal, including transfers.
Ames to Normal bus services, operated by Jefferson Lines, depart from Ames station.
Ames to Normal bus services, operated by Jefferson Lines, arrive at Des Moines station.
Yes, the driving distance between Ames to Normal is 307 miles. It takes approximately 5h 39m to drive from Ames to Normal.
There are 43+ hotels available in Normal.
What companies run services between Ames, IA, USA and Normal, IL, USA?
You can take a bus from Ames to Watterson Commons via Des Moines, Chicago Bus Station, Harrison & Jefferson, 900 W Harrison, UIC-Halsted, Forest Park, Forest Park CTA Station, and Oakbrook Mall in around 13h 38m.
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Des Moines to Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal via Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 36m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $90–600
Flights from Des Moines to Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 16m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $180–850
Flights from Des Moines to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 42m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $65–420
Flights from The Eastern Iowa Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 29m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–230
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–250
Flights from Des Moines to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $65–420
Flights from The Eastern Iowa Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 28m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–230
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Des Moines to Lambert–St. Louis International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 16m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–800
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Des Moines to Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal via Atlanta
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 25m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $180–850
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Chicago Union Station to Bloomington-Normal
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 58m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $14–150
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from St. Paul-Minneapolis to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 24m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $60–220
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from St. Louis to Bloomington-Normal
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 33m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $18–60
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 320.253.2226
- Website
- executiveexpress.biz
Shuttle from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IA
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $80–190
- Website
- https://www.executiveexpress.biz
- Schedules at
- https://www.executiveexpress.biz/coverage-areas/
- Phone
- +1-858-800-8898
- Website
- jeffersonlines.com
Bus from Ames to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $3–45
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
Bus from Ames to St. Paul
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 5m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $20–100
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 5m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $50–100
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Bloomington
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 55m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–50
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
- Phone
- +1 800-448-0572
- ticketsales@peoriacharter.com
- Website
- peoriacharter.com
Bus from Oakbrook Mall to Watterson Commons
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 5m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $45–60
- Schedules at
- peoriacharter.com
- cash
- $60
- online
- $45
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