Rome2Rio

How to get fromDes Moines to Californiaby plane, bus (Greyhound), bus, train or car

Find Transport to California

See all options

There are 9 ways to get from Des Moines to California by plane, bus (Greyhound), bus, train, or car

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly to Los Angeles International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane DSM - LAX
    5h 33m
    $169–735

  2. Bus, train

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Kansas Citybus bus Jefferson 803 / ...
    2. Take the train from Kansas City to Los Angelestrain train Southwest Chief
    40h 52m
    $168–508

  3. Bus (Greyhound)

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Denver Union Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Denver Union Station to Las Vegas Bus Terminalbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Las Vegas Bus Terminal to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus
    37h 15m
    $184–364

  4. Drive 1,682.7 mi

    1. Drive from Des Moines to Los Angelescar car 1,682.7 mi
    26h 1m
    $308–444

  5. Fly to San Diego International Airport

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane DSM - SAN
    6h 6m
    $300–1,426

  6. Fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane DSM - SJC
    6h 41m
    $344–1,527

  7. Fly to Long Beach Airport

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Long Beach Airport (LGB)plane plane DSM - LGB
    7h 23m
    $200–923

  8. Fly to Fresno Yosemite International Airport

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)plane plane DSM - FAT
    7h 34m
    $289–1,322

  9. Fly to John Wayne Airport Orange County

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to John Wayne Airport Orange County (SNA)plane plane DSM - SNA
    6h 59m
    $254–1,127

Des Moines to California by bus (Greyhound)

Calendar7Weekly Buses
Duration37h 15mAverage Duration
Ticket$184Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

What companies run services between Des Moines, IA, USA and California, USA?

American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and two other airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) every 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Des Moines to Los Angeles Union Station via Denver Union Station and Las Vegas Bus Terminal in around 37h 15m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around United States

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound

More Questions & Answers

Trips from Des Moines

Trips to California

Popular routes