There are 4 ways to get from Champaign to Ames by plane, shuttle, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), car, train, or bus
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly, shuttle
best- Fly from University Of Illinois Willard Airport (CMI) to Des Moines (DSM)plane CMI - DSM
- Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
6h 28m$198–912Train, bus
cheapest- Take the train from Champaign-Urbana to Chicago Union Stationtrain
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus
11h 59m$59–206Bus
- Take the bus from Champaign Intermodal Trans Ctr to Chicago Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus
11h 59m$68–210Drive 357.7 mi
- Drive from Champaign to Amescar 357.7 mi
6h 28m$66–95
Champaign to Ames by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Champaign to Ames is to drive which costs $65 - $95 and takes 6h 28m.
The fastest way to get from Champaign to Ames is to fly and shuttle which takes 6h 28m and costs $190 - $950.
No, there is no direct bus from Champaign to Ames. However, there are services departing from Champaign Intermodal Trans Ctr and arriving at Ames via Chicago Bus Station and Des Moines. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 11h 59m.
The distance between Champaign and Ames is 349 miles. The road distance is 359.8 miles.
The best way to get from Champaign to Ames without a car is to bus which takes 11h 59m and costs $65 - $210.
It takes approximately 6h 28m to get from Champaign to Ames, including transfers.
Champaign to Ames bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from Champaign Intermodal Trans Ctr station.
Champaign to Ames bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at Chicago Bus Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Champaign to Ames is 360 miles. It takes approximately 6h 28m to drive from Champaign to Ames.
There are 41+ hotels available in Ames.
What companies run services between Champaign, IL, USA and Ames, IA, USA?
You can take a bus from Champaign Intermodal Trans Ctr to Ames via Chicago Bus Station and Des Moines in around 11h 59m.
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from University Of Illinois Willard Airport to Des Moines via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 7m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–700
Flights from University Of Illinois Willard Airport to Des Moines via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 55m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200–1,000
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Champaign-Urbana to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 36m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $15–60
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 320.253.2226
- Website
- executiveexpress.biz
Shuttle from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
- 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 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- flixbus.com
Bus from Champaign Intermodal Trans Ctr to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 45m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $24–45
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
- Phone
- +1 800-448-0572
- ticketsales@peoriacharter.com
- Website
- peoriacharter.com
Bus from Champaign Intermodal Trans Ctr to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 10m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $45–60
- Schedules at
- peoriacharter.com
- cash
- $60
- online
- $45
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 34m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $40–110
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
- Phone
- +1-858-800-8898
- Website
- jeffersonlines.com
Bus from Des Moines to Ames
- Ave. Duration
- 40 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $3–40
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
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