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

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There are 7 ways to get from Des Moines to Madison by plane, bus, car, bus (Greyhound), bus (Flixbus, 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 14m
    $120–673

  2. Drive 274.9 mi

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

  3. Bus via Bloomington

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Burnsvillebus bus Jefferson 802 / ...
    2. Take the bus from Mall of America - IKEA - Bloomington to Madison, WI-Lake St.bus bus Minneapolis
    11h 38m
    $120–170

  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 46m
    $159–890

  5. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus Greyhound US0123S / ...
    2. Take the bus from W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campusbus bus Van Galder
    11h 50m
    $75–148

  6. Bus #2

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to St. Paulbus bus Jefferson 802
    2. Take the bus from St. Paul to UW-Madisonbus bus Minneapolis / ...
    12h 5m
    $100–175

  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 29m
    $117–244

Des Moines to Madison by bus and foot

Calendar19Weekly Services
Duration11h 50mAverage Duration
Ticket$75Cheapest 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 14m

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

Delta, United Airlines, 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, WI-Lake St. via Burnsville Transit Station Bay B, Mall of America Transit Station Gate F, MOA Transit Station Gate A, American & Thunderbird Station, and Mall of America - IKEA - Bloomington in around 11h 38m.

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