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 5m.

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 36m and costs $120 - $700.

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 Chicago Bus Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 11h 25m.

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 11h 25m and costs $70 - $140.

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

It takes approximately 4h 36m 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 Greyhound USA, 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 36m and costs $120 - $700. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $70 - $140 and takes 11h 25m.

Where does the Des Moines to Madison bus arrive?

Des Moines to Madison bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Chicago Bus 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 5m to drive from Des Moines to Madison.

How do I get a bus ticket from Des Moines to Madison?

Book your Des Moines to Madison bus tickets online with Omio and FlixBus.

Where can I stay near Madison?

There are 208+ hotels available in Madison.

Des Moines to Madison - 6 ways to travel via plane, bus, and car

There are 6 ways to get from Des Moines to Madison by plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), car, bus, bus (Greyhound), or bus (Flixbus)

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 36m
$120–673
Drive 274.9 mi
cheapest
1. Drive from Des Moines to Madisoncar 274.9 mi
5h 5m
$51–73
Bus
1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0123S / ...
2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Madisonbus FlixBus 2514 / ...
11h 25m
$73–138
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
6h 34m
$149–840
Bus via Chicago
1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0123S / ...
2. Take the bus from W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campusbus Van Galder
11h 50m
$75–148
Bus via Saint Paul
1. Take the bus from Des Moines to St. Paulbus Jefferson 802
2. Take the bus from St. Paul to UW-Madisonbus Minneapolis / ...
12h 5m
$100–155

Des Moines to Madison by bus

19Weekly Buses

11h 25mAverage Duration

$73Cheapest Price

See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Des Moines to Madison.

Launch map view

Distance: 259.2 mi
Duration: 4h 36m

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 Chicago Bus Station in around 11h 25m.

Airlines

Bus operators

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

Find Transport to Madison

There are 6 ways to get from Des Moines to Madison by plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), car, bus, bus (Greyhound), or bus (Flixbus)

Fly to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field

Drive 274.9 mi

Bus

Fly to General Mitchell International Airport, bus

Bus via Chicago

Bus via Saint Paul

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 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

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

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

Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Dallas/Ft.Worth

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

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

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

Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Denver

Contact Details

Bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Station

Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Madison

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

Bus from St. Paul to UW-Madison

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

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

Bus from Des Moines to St. Paul

Bus from St. Paul to UW-Madison

Want to know more about travelling around United States

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Trips from Des Moines

Trips to Madison

Popular routes

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