There are 6 ways to get from Des Moines to Brainerd by bus, car, plane, train, 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.
Bus via Saint Paul
best- Take the bus from Des Moines to St. Paulbus Jefferson Lines 806 / ...
- Take the bus from Minneapolis to Brainerdbus Jefferson Lines 927
9h 1m$102–147Drive 367.5 mi
cheapest- Drive from Des Moines to Brainerdcar 367.5 mi
6h 15m$68–97Fly
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport (BRD)plane DSM - BRD
6h 32m$102–465Bus, train, taxi
- Take the bus from Des Moines to St. Paulbus
- Take the train from St. Paul-Minneapolis to Staples Stationtrain
- Take the taxi from Staples Station to Brainerdtaxi
9h 16m$165–249Bus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Minneapolisbus Jefferson Lines 804 / ...
- Take the bus from Minneapolis to Brainerdbus Jefferson Lines 927
9h 25m$100–145Bus #2
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Saint Paul Union Depotbus Greyhound US0156
- Take the bus from Minneapolis / St Paul Airport to Perkins Restaurant & Bakery - Brainerdbus Groome Transportation - Brainerd
10h 49m$100–123
Des Moines to Brainerd by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Des Moines to Brainerd is to drive which costs $65 - $100 and takes 6h 15m.
The fastest way to get from Des Moines to Brainerd is to drive which takes 6h 15m and costs $65 - $100.
No, there is no direct bus from Des Moines to Brainerd. However, there are services departing from Des Moines and arriving at Brainerd via Union Depot & Gate A1 and Minneapolis. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 9h 1m.
The distance between Des Moines and Brainerd is 393 miles. The road distance is 369.6 miles.
The best way to get from Des Moines to Brainerd without a car is to bus via Saint Paul which takes 9h 1m and costs $100 - $150.
It takes approximately 9h 1m to get from Des Moines to Brainerd, including transfers.
Des Moines to Brainerd bus services, operated by Jefferson Lines, depart from Des Moines station.
The best way to get from Des Moines to Brainerd is to bus via Saint Paul which takes 9h 1m and costs $100 - $150. Alternatively, you can fly, which costs $100 - $470 and takes 6h 32m.
Des Moines to Brainerd bus services, operated by Jefferson Lines, arrive at St. Paul station.
Yes, the driving distance between Des Moines to Brainerd is 370 miles. It takes approximately 6h 15m to drive from Des Moines to Brainerd.
What companies run services between Des Moines, IA, USA and Brainerd, MN, USA?
You can take a bus from Des Moines to Brainerd via St. Paul, Union Depot & Gate A1, 7th St & Hennepin Station, and Minneapolis in around 9h 1m. Alternatively, Delta flies from Des Moines (DSM) to Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport (BRD) 3 times a day.
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Des Moines to Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 57m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $65–420
Flights from Des Moines to Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport via Detroit, Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–650
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from St. Paul-Minneapolis to Staples Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 57m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $35–80
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1-858-800-8898
- Website
- jeffersonlines.com
Bus from Des Moines to St. Paul
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 40m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $60–90
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $60–90
Bus from Minneapolis to Brainerd
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $35–55
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $35–55
Bus from Des Moines to St. Paul
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 40m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $60–90
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $60–90
Bus from Des Moines to Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $65–90
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $65–90
Bus from Minneapolis to Brainerd
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $35–55
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $35–55
- Ave. Duration
- 39 min
- Estimated price
- $65–80
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Booking & Getting There
Book your Des Moines to Brainerd bus tickets online with Omio.
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