There are 7 ways to get from Chicago, IL to Ames by plane, shuttle, bus (Greyhound), car, taxi, 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 Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Des Moines, shuttle
best- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Des Moines (DSM)plane ORD - DSM
- Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
4h 39m$162–745Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus Greyhound US0123 / ...
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus Jefferson 804 / ...
8h 14m$48–142Drive 324 mi
- Drive from Chicago, IL to Amescar 324 mi
5h 59m$60–86Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to The Eastern Iowa Airport, drive
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)plane ORD - CID
- Drive from Cedar-Rapids-Airport-CID to Amescar
5h 5m$56–293Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, taxi
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)plane ORD - FOD
- Take the taxi from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Amestaxi
4h 53m$182–465Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Des Moines, shuttle
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Des Moines (DSM)plane MDW - DSM
- Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
4h 38m$182–895Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Mason City, bus
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Mason City (MCW)plane ORD - MCW
- Take the bus from Mason City to Amesbus
6h 6m$50–345
Chicago, IL to Ames by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Chicago, IL to Ames is to drive which costs $55 - $90 and takes 5h 59m.
The fastest way to get from Chicago, IL to Ames is to fly and shuttle which takes 4h 38m and costs $180 - $900.
No, there is no direct bus from Chicago, IL station to Ames. However, there are services departing from Chicago Bus Station and arriving at Ames via Des Moines. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 8h 14m.
The distance between Chicago, IL and Ames is 360 miles. The road distance is 325.9 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago, IL to Ames without a car is to bus which takes 8h 14m and costs $45 - $150.
It takes approximately 4h 39m to get from Chicago, IL to Ames, including transfers.
Chicago, IL to Ames bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Chicago Bus Station.
Chicago, IL to Ames bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Des Moines station.
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago, IL to Ames is 326 miles. It takes approximately 5h 59m to drive from Chicago, IL to Ames.
There are 49+ hotels available in Ames.
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Ames, IA, USA?
You can take a bus from Chicago Bus Station to Ames via Des Moines in around 8h 14m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 33m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80–550
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to The Eastern Iowa Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 21m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–260
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 38m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–280
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Mason City
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 33m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–280
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 31m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80–550
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to The Eastern Iowa Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–260
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $100–700
- 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/
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
Bus from Mason City to Ames
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $8–60
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 21m
- Estimated price
- $140–180
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