What is the cheapest way to get from Des Moines to Madison?

The cheapest way to get from Des Moines to Madison is to drive which costs $50 - $75 and takes 5h 4m.

What is the fastest way to get from Des Moines to Madison?

The fastest way to get from Des Moines to Madison is to fly which takes 4h 31m and costs $180 - $1,200.

Is there a direct bus between Des Moines and Madison?

No, there is no direct bus from Des Moines to Madison. However, there are services departing from Des Moines and arriving at Madison via Saint Paul Union Depot. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 10h 45m.

How far is it from Des Moines to Madison?

The distance between Des Moines and Madison is 261 miles. The road distance is 276.5 miles.

How do I travel from Des Moines to Madison without a car?

The best way to get from Des Moines to Madison without a car is to bus which takes 10h 45m and costs $45 - $220.

How long does it take to get from Des Moines to Madison?

It takes approximately 4h 31m to get from Des Moines to Madison, including transfers.

Where do I catch the Des Moines to Madison bus from?

Des Moines to Madison bus services, operated by Jefferson Lines, depart from Des Moines station.

Bus or fly from Des Moines to Madison?

The best way to get from Des Moines to Madison is to fly which takes 4h 31m and costs $180 - $1,200. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $45 - $220 and takes 10h 45m.

Where does the Des Moines to Madison bus arrive?

Des Moines to Madison bus services, operated by Jefferson Lines, arrive at St. Paul station.

Can I drive from Des Moines to Madison?

Yes, the driving distance between Des Moines to Madison is 277 miles. It takes approximately 5h 4m to drive from Des Moines to Madison.

Where can I stay near Madison?

There are 142+ hotels available in Madison.

Des Moines to Madison - 7 ways to travel via plane, bus, and car

There are 7 ways to get from Des Moines to Madison by plane, bus (Flixbus), car, bus, 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.

Fly to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field
best
1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN)plane DSM - MSN
4h 31m
$180–1,123
Bus
cheapest
1. Take the bus from Des Moines to St. Paulbus Jefferson 802
2. Take the bus from Saint Paul Union Depot to Madisonbus FlixBus 2548
10h 45m
$48–214
Drive 274.9 mi
1. Drive from Des Moines to Madisoncar 274.9 mi
5h 4m
$51–73
Fly to General Mitchell International Airport, bus
1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)plane DSM - MKE
2. Take the bus from Mitchell Airport to Madison, WI-Lake St.bus
7h 10m
$209–1,176
Fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, bus
1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane DSM - ORD
2. Take the bus from Multi-Modal/Rental Car Facility to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campusbus
5h 51m
$153–536
Bus via Burnsville
1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Burnsvillebus Jefferson 802 / ...
2. Take the bus from Mall of America - IKEA - Bloomington to Madison, WI-Lake St.bus Minneapolis
11h 36m
$81–184
Bus #2
1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0123 / ...
2. Take the bus from W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campusbus Van Galder
11h 50m
$63–126

Des Moines to Madison by bus

7Weekly Buses

10h 45mAverage Duration

$48Cheapest Price

See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Des Moines to Madison.

Launch map view

Distance: 259.2 mi
Duration: 4h 31m

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

United Airlines, Delta, and American Airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Des Moines to Madison via St. Paul and Saint Paul Union Depot in around 10h 45m.

Airlines

Bus operators

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How to get fromDes Moines to Madisonby plane plane bus bus car car by plane, bus (Flixbus), car, bus or bus (Greyhound)

Find Transport to Madison

There are 7 ways to get from Des Moines to Madison by plane, bus (Flixbus), car, bus, or bus (Greyhound)

Fly to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field

Bus

Drive 274.9 mi

Fly to General Mitchell International Airport, bus

Fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, bus

Bus via Burnsville

Bus #2

Des Moines to Madison by bus

Questions & Answers

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

Flights from Des Moines to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field via Chicago O'Hare International Airport

Flights from Des Moines to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field via Denver

Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Chicago O'Hare International Airport

Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Denver

Flights from Des Moines to Chicago O'Hare International Airport

Flights from Des Moines to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field via Minneapolis

Flights from Des Moines to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field via Detroit

Flights from Des Moines to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field via Atlanta

Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Minneapolis

Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Atlanta

Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Detroit

Flights from Des Moines to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field via Chicago O'Hare International Airport

Flights from Des Moines to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field via Dallas/Ft.Worth

Flights from Des Moines to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field via Charlotte

Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Chicago O'Hare International Airport

Flights from Des Moines to Chicago O'Hare International Airport

Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via St. Louis

Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Chicago Midway

Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Denver

Bus from Des Moines to St. Paul

Bus from Saint Paul Union Depot to Madison

Bus from Des Moines to Burnsville

Bus from Saint Paul Union Depot to Madison

Bus from Mitchell Airport to Madison, WI-Lake St.

Bus from Mitchell Airport to Madison, WI-Lake St.

Bus from Mall of America - IKEA - Bloomington to Madison, WI-Lake St.

Bus from Mitchell Airport to Madison, WI-Lake St.

Bus from Multi-Modal/Rental Car Facility to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus

Bus from W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus

Contact Details

Bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Station

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Trips from Des Moines

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Popular routes

How to get fromDes Moines to Madisonby plane, bus (Flixbus), car, bus or bus (Greyhound)