There are 4 ways to get from Des Moines to San Diego by plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), bus, 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
best- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)DSM - SAN
5h 27m$228–1,021Bus, train
cheapest- Take the bus from Des Moines to Kansas City
- Take the train from Kansas City to Fullerton Amtrak Station
- Take the train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to San Diego
43h 26m$201–602Bus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Denver
- Take the bus from Denver Union Station to South Strip Transit Terminal
- Take the bus from South Strip Transit Terminal to Santa Ana Bus Stop
- Take the bus from Santa Ana Bus Stop to San Diego
39h 27m$224–520Drive 1,745.2 mi
- Drive from Des Moines to San Diego1,745.2 mi
26h 56m$319–460
Des Moines to San Diego by bus and foot
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Des Moines to San Diego is to bus which costs $220 - $550 and takes 39h 27m.
The fastest way to get from Des Moines to San Diego is to fly which takes 5h 27m and costs $220 - $1,100.
No, there is no direct bus from Des Moines to San Diego. However, there are services departing from Des Moines and arriving at San Diego via Denver Union Station, South Strip Transit Terminal and Santa Ana Bus Stop. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 39h 27m.
The distance between Des Moines and San Diego is 1442 miles. The road distance is 1755.4 miles.
The best way to get from Des Moines to San Diego without a car is to bus which takes 39h 27m and costs $220 - $550.
It takes approximately 5h 27m to get from Des Moines to San Diego, including transfers.
Des Moines to San Diego bus services, operated by Burlington Trailways, depart from Des Moines station.
The best way to get from Des Moines to San Diego is to fly which takes 5h 27m and costs $220 - $1,100. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $220 - $550 and takes 39h 27m.
Des Moines to San Diego bus services, operated by Burlington Trailways, arrive at Denver station.
San Diego is 2h behind Des Moines. It is currently 9:40 AM in Des Moines and 7:40 AM in San Diego.
What companies run services between Des Moines, IA, USA and San Diego, CA, USA?
Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and three other airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Des Moines to San Diego via Denver, Denver Union Station, South Strip Transit Terminal, and Santa Ana Bus Stop in around 39h 27m.
Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Des Moines to San Diego International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 47m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $210–1,000
Flights from Des Moines to San Diego International Airport via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 35m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $250–1,100
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Des Moines to San Diego International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 20m
- When
- Monday to Saturday
- Estimated price
- $220–1,000
Flights from Des Moines to San Diego International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 17m
- When
- Friday and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $210–1,000
Flights from Des Moines to San Diego International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- When
- Monday to Saturday
- Estimated price
- $210–1,000
Flights from Des Moines to San Diego International Airport via St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 30m
- When
- Monday
- Estimated price
- $250–1,100
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Des Moines to San Diego International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 46m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $210–1,000
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Des Moines to San Diego International Airport via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 37m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $250–1,100
- Website
- flyfrontier.com
Flights from Des Moines to San Diego International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 1m
- When
- Monday and Friday
- Estimated price
- $210–1,000
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Kansas City to Fullerton Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 34h 52m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $150–480
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Coach Seat - Advance Purchase
- $150–430
- Coach Seat short notice purchase
- $220–480
- Business - advance purchase
- $310–1,200
- Business Class
- $420–1,100
Train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 23m
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Estimated price
- $33–34
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 (319) 753-2864
- info@burlingtontrailways.com
- Website
- burlingtontrailways.com
Bus from Des Moines to Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 13h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $110–220
- Website
- https://burlingtontrailways.com
- Saver Fares
- $110–160
- Flexible Fares
- $150–220
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Denver Union Station to South Strip Transit Terminal
- Ave. Duration
- 15h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $60–180
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from South Strip Transit Terminal to Santa Ana Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $35–80
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- flixbus.com
Bus from Santa Ana Bus Stop to San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 50m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $16–40
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
- Phone
- +1-858-800-8898
- Website
- jeffersonlines.com
Bus from Des Moines to Kansas City
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $18–90
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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More Questions & Answers
Yes, the driving distance between Des Moines to San Diego is 1755 miles. It takes approximately 26h 56m to drive from Des Moines to San Diego.
There are 1714+ hotels available in San Diego.
















