There are 7 ways to get from Chicago to Ames by plane, shuttle, bus (Greyhound), car, taxi, bus, or train
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)ORD - DSM
- Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
4h 27m$162–695Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des MoinesGreyhound US0123 / ...
- Take the bus from Des Moines to AmesJefferson 804 / ...
8h 14m$50–143Drive 324.7 mi
- Drive from Chicago to Ames324.7 mi
5h 57m$60–86Fly 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)ORD - FOD
- Take the taxi from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Ames
4h 40m$188–465Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Des Moines, shuttle
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Des Moines (DSM)MDW - DSM
- Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
4h 11m$178–845Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Mason City, bus
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Mason City (MCW)ORD - MCW
- Take the bus from Mason City to Ames
5h 54m$50–335Train, bus
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Galesburg Amtrak Station
- Take the bus from Galesburg to Burlington
- Take the bus from Burlington to Des Moines
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Ames
10h 36m$108–285
Chicago to Ames by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Ames is to drive which costs $55 - $90 and takes 5h 57m.
The fastest way to get from Chicago to Ames is to fly and shuttle which takes 4h 11m and costs $170 - $850.
No, there is no direct bus from Chicago 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 and Ames is 359 miles. The road distance is 326.6 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago to Ames without a car is to bus which takes 8h 14m and costs $45 - $150.
It takes approximately 4h 27m to get from Chicago to Ames, including transfers.
Chicago to Ames bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Chicago Bus Station.
Chicago to Ames bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Des Moines station.
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to Ames is 327 miles. It takes approximately 5h 57m to drive from Chicago to Ames.
There are 48+ 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
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 31m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80–500
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 36m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80–500
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 38m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $45–280
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Mason City
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 34m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–270
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $95–650
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Des Moines via St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 40m
- When
- Saturday
- Estimated price
- $120–700
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Chicago Union Station to Galesburg Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 36m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $30–100
- 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/
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
- $45–100
- 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
- $3–45
- 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
- Phone
- +1 (319) 753-2864
- info@burlingtontrailways.com
- Website
- burlingtontrailways.com
Bus from Galesburg to Burlington
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $25–50
- Website
- https://burlingtontrailways.com
- Saver Fares
- $25–40
- Flexible Fares
- $30–50
Bus from Burlington to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 5m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $40–80
- Website
- https://burlingtontrailways.com
- Saver Fares
- $40–60
- Flexible Fares
- $50–80
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- Estimated price
- $140–180
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