There are 5 ways to get from Des Moines to Milwaukee by plane, bus, train, car, or bus (Greyhound, 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
best- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)plane DSM - MKE
4h 48m$191–1,124Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0123 / ...
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Milwaukee Intermodal Stationbus FlixBus 2548 / ...
10h$61–121Bus, train
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0123 / ...
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Milwaukeetrain Hiawatha Service / ...
9h 43m$64–121Bus, train via Saint Paul
- Take the bus from Des Moines to St. Paulbus Jefferson 802
- Take the train from St. Paul-Minneapolis to Milwaukeetrain Borealis / ...
11h 40m$64–244Drive 353.2 mi
- Drive from Des Moines to Milwaukeecar 353.2 mi
6h 29m$65–94
Des Moines to Milwaukee by bus, foot, and train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Des Moines to Milwaukee is to drive which costs $60 - $95 and takes 6h 29m.
The fastest way to get from Des Moines to Milwaukee is to fly which takes 4h 48m and costs $190 - $1,200.
No, there is no direct bus from Des Moines to Milwaukee station. However, there are services departing from Des Moines and arriving at Milwaukee Intermodal Station via Chicago Bus Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 10h.
The distance between Des Moines and Milwaukee is 325 miles. The road distance is 355.3 miles.
The best way to get from Des Moines to Milwaukee without a car is to bus and train which takes 9h 43m and costs $60 - $130.
It takes approximately 4h 48m to get from Des Moines to Milwaukee, including transfers.
Des Moines to Milwaukee bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Des Moines station.
The best way to get from Des Moines to Milwaukee is to fly which takes 4h 48m and costs $190 - $1,200. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $60 - $130 and takes 10h.
Des Moines to Milwaukee bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Chicago Bus Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Des Moines to Milwaukee is 355 miles. It takes approximately 6h 29m to drive from Des Moines to Milwaukee.
What companies run services between Des Moines, IA, USA and Milwaukee, WI, USA?
American Airlines, Delta, and two other airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Des Moines to Milwaukee Intermodal Station via Chicago Bus Station in around 10h.
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 6m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $240–1,400
Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 56m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200–1,200
Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Atlanta
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 51m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $370–1,800
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 28m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–1,100
Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 53m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $380–1,800
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 37m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $210–1,300
Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Chicago Midway
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 10m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $170–1,100
Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $380–1,800
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 24m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–1,100
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Chicago Union Station to Milwaukee
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 29m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $22–40
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from St. Paul-Minneapolis to Milwaukee
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 50m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $40–140
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 5m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $40–85
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Milwaukee Intermodal Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $19–40
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
- Phone
- +1-858-800-8898
- Website
- jeffersonlines.com
Bus from Des Moines to St. Paul
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 50m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $23–110
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- flixbus.com
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Milwaukee Intermodal Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 55m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $19–28
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
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More Questions & Answers
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