There are 9 ways to get from Iowa to Chicago by plane, bus (Greyhound), car, bus, 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.
Fly from Des Moines
best- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)DSM - ORD
2h 34m$85–436Line 60 bus to Quad City International Airport, fly
cheapest- Take the bus from District to SouthPark Mall Shelter
- Fly from Quad City International Airport (MLI) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)MLI - ORD
4h 13m$34–227Bus via Des Moines (Greyhound)
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus StationGreyhound US0123 / ...
7h 10m$64–130Drive 330.7 mi
- Drive from Des Moines to Chicago330.7 mi
5h 30m$61–88Fly from Waterloo Municipal Airport
- Fly from Waterloo Municipal Airport (ALO) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)ALO - ORD
2h 23m$56–267Fly from The Eastern Iowa Airport
- Fly from The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)CID - ORD
3h 45m$54–275Bus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to ChicagoDes Moines
7h 15m$55–160Bus #2
- Take the bus from Des Moines to ChicagoOmaha
7h 28m$67–152Bus, train
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Burlington
- Take the bus from Burlington to Galesburg
- Take the train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Station
8h 55m$90–212
Iowa to Chicago by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Iowa to Chicago is to drive which costs $60 - $90 and takes 5h 30m.
The fastest way to get from Iowa to Chicago is to fly which takes 2h 23m and costs $55 - $270.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Des Moines and arriving at Chicago. Services depart twice daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 7h 15m.
The distance between Iowa and Chicago is 324 miles. The road distance is 332.7 miles.
The best way to get from Iowa to Chicago without a car is to bus via Des Moines which takes 7h 10m and costs $60 - $130.
It takes approximately 2h 34m to get from Iowa to Chicago, including transfers.
Iowa to Chicago bus services, operated by Burlington Trailways, depart from Des Moines station.
The best way to get from Iowa to Chicago is to fly which takes 2h 34m and costs $80 - $440. Alternatively, you can bus via Des Moines, which costs $60 - $130 and takes 7h 10m.
Iowa to Chicago bus services, operated by Burlington Trailways, arrive at Chicago station.
Yes, the driving distance between Iowa to Chicago is 333 miles. It takes approximately 5h 30m to drive from Iowa to Chicago.
What companies run services between Iowa, USA and Chicago, IL, USA?
American Airlines and United Airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) every 4 hours. Alternatively, Greyhound USA operates a bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Station 3 times a day. Tickets cost $55–120 and the journey takes 7h 5m.
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Des Moines to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 41m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $65–410
Flights from Waterloo Municipal Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–240
Flights from The Eastern Iowa Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 27m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–230
Flights from Quad City International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 18m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–220
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Des Moines to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 38m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $65–410
Flights from The Eastern Iowa Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 27m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–230
Flights from Quad City International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–220
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $24–85
- 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
- $55–120
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
- Phone
- +1 309-788-3360
- Website
- metroqc.com
Bus from District to SouthPark Mall Shelter
- Ave. Duration
- 38 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $1
- Website
- https://www.metroqc.com
- Adult Cash Fare
- $1
- Phone
- +1 (319) 753-2864
- info@burlingtontrailways.com
- Website
- burlingtontrailways.com
Bus from Des Moines to Chicago
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 15m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $55–160
- Website
- https://burlingtontrailways.com
- Saver Fares
- $65–100
- Flexible Fares
- $90–140
- Saver Fare
- $55–110
- Flex Fare
- $75–160
Bus from Des Moines to Burlington
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $40–80
- Website
- https://burlingtontrailways.com
- Saver Fares
- $40–60
- Flexible Fares
- $50–80
Bus from Burlington to Galesburg
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $25–50
- Website
- https://burlingtontrailways.com
- Saver Fares
- $25–40
- Flexible Fares
- $30–50
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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