There are 10 ways to get from Des Moines to Merced by plane, bus, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), 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.
Fly to Fresno Yosemite International Airport, bus
best- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)plane DSM - FAT
- Take the bus from Fresno to Mercedbus
8h 35m$155–692Fly to Merced Municipal Airport
cheapest- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Merced Municipal Airport (MCE)plane DSM - MCE
6h 59m$139–624Bus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Denver Union Stationbus
- Take the bus from Denver Union Station to Sparks Transit Centerbus
- Take the bus from Sparks Transit Center to Sacramento Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Sacramento Bus Station to Mercedbus
43h 5m$306–491Bus, train
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Kansas City Bus Stationbus
- Take the train from Kansas City to Los Angelestrain
- Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Merced Bus Stopbus
47h 36m$541–1,218Drive 1,737.5 mi
- Drive from Des Moines to Mercedcar 1,737.5 mi
28h 48m$318–458Fly to Stockton Metropolitan Airport, bus
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK)plane DSM - SCK
- Take the bus from Stockton to Mercedbus
9h 28m$207–811Fly to Oakland International Airport, bus
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane DSM - OAK
- Take the bus from BART Dublin Station to Bay C - Modesto Transit Center - 2nd exibus
- Take the bus from Modesto Bus Stop to Merced Bus Stopbus
10h 14m$202–792Fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, bus
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane DSM - SJC
- Take the bus from BART Dublin Station to Bay C - Modesto Transit Center - 2nd exibus
- Take the bus from Modesto Bus Stop to Merced Bus Stopbus
11h 13m$195–796Bus, train via Des Moines
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Kansas Citybus
- Take the train from Kansas City to Los Angelestrain
- Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Mercedbus
2d$563–1,237Bus, train #2
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Galesburgbus
- Take the train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Sacramentotrain
- Take the bus from Sacramento Bus Station to Mercedbus
2d 9h$602–1,381
Des Moines to Merced by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Des Moines to Merced is to fly which costs $130 - $650 and takes 6h 59m.
The fastest way to get from Des Moines to Merced is to fly which takes 6h 59m and costs $130 - $650.
No, there is no direct bus from Des Moines to Merced. However, there are services departing from Des Moines and arriving at Merced via Denver Union Station, Sparks Transit Center and Sacramento Bus Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 43h 5m.
The distance between Des Moines and Merced is 1510 miles. The road distance is 1747.7 miles.
The best way to get from Des Moines to Merced without a car is to bus which takes 43h 5m and costs $300 - $500.
It takes approximately 8h 35m to get from Des Moines to Merced, including transfers.
Des Moines to Merced bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Des Moines station.
The best way to get from Des Moines to Merced is to bus which takes 43h 5m and costs $300 - $500. Alternatively, you can fly, which costs $130 - $650 and takes 6h 59m.
Des Moines to Merced bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Denver Union Station.
Merced is 2h behind Des Moines. It is currently 1:20 AM in Des Moines and 11:20 PM in Merced.
What companies run services between Des Moines, IA, USA and Merced, CA, USA?
You can take a bus from Des Moines to Merced via Denver Union Station, Sparks Transit Center, and Sacramento Bus Station in around 43h 5m. Alternatively, Allegiant Air, Corporate Flight Management Inc, and three other airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Merced Municipal Airport (MCE) twice daily.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Des Moines to Fresno Yosemite International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 2m
- When
- Saturday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $130–650
Flights from Des Moines to Fresno Yosemite International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 58m
- When
- Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $140–650
Flights from Des Moines to Oakland International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 42m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–750
Flights from Des Moines to Oakland International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 42m
- When
- Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $170–800
Flights from Des Moines to Oakland International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 50m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $190–850
Flights from Des Moines to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 23m
- When
- Tuesday to Friday
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Des Moines to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 43m
- When
- Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $170–750
Flights from Des Moines to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 40m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $180–800
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Kansas City to Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 35h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $470–1,100
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Kansas City to Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 35h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $470–1,100
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Sacramento
- Ave. Duration
- 2d
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $550–1,300
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 866 691 9732
- eplasales@eplalimo.com
- Website
- Limousine Express
Bus from Fresno to Merced
- Ave. Duration
- 50 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $26–40
- Website
- Limousine Express
- One Way
- $26–40
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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Booking & Getting There
Yes, the driving distance between Des Moines to Merced is 1748 miles. It takes approximately 28h 48m to drive from Des Moines to Merced.
Book your Des Moines to Merced bus tickets online with Omio and FlixBus.
There are 33+ hotels available in Merced.










