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

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

  1. Fly to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field

    best
    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN)plane plane DSM - MSN
    4h 23m
    $150–773

  2. Drive 274.9 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Des Moines to Madisoncar car 274.9 mi
    5h 6m
    $51–73

  3. Bus via Rochester

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Albert Leabus bus
    2. Take the bus from Albert Lea to Rochesterbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Rochester, MN to UW-Madisonbus bus
    11h 15m

  4. Fly to General Mitchell International Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)plane plane DSM - MKE
    2. Take the bus from Mitchell Airport to Madison, WI-Lake St.bus bus
    6h 24m
    $142–744

  5. Fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane plane DSM - ORD
    2. Take the bus from Multi-Modal/Rental Car Facility to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campusbus bus
    5h 34m
    $102–506

  6. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus Greyhound US0123 / ...
    2. Take the bus from W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campusbus bus Van Galder
    11h 29m
    $78–155

  7. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Galesburgbus bus
    2. Take the train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    3. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Milwaukeetrain train
    4. Take the bus from Milwaukee, WI - Amtrak to Madison, WI-Lake St.bus bus
    13h 12m

Des Moines (DSM) to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) flights

Calendar121Weekly Planes
Duration5h 25mAverage Duration
Ticket$129Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Des Moines to Madison.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 259.2 mi
  • Duration: 4h 23m

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

Delta, American Airlines, and United 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 UW-Madison via Albert Lea and Rochester, MN in around 11h 15m.

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