There are 8 ways to get from Iowa to Kentucky by plane, bus (Greyhound, Amtrak), bus, train, car, or bus (Greyhound)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly Des Moines to Louisville International Airport
best- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Louisville International Airport (SDF)plane DSM - SDF
4h 46m$159–824Fly Quad City International Airport to Louisville International Airport
cheapest- Fly from Quad City International Airport (MLI) to Louisville International Airport (SDF)plane MLI - SDF
7h 23m$93–605Bus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Indianapolis Union Stationbus Greyhound US0157S
- Take the bus from Indianapolis Union Station to Louisville Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0100 / ...
12h 35m$101–175Bus, train
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Galesburgbus
- Take the train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Indianapolistrain
- Take the bus from Indianapolis Union Station to Louisville Bus Stationbus
17h 14m$151–325Drive 579.9 mi
- Drive from Des Moines to Louisvillecar 579.9 mi
9h 44m$106–153Fly Quad City International Airport to Covington
- Fly from Quad City International Airport (MLI) to Covington (CVG)plane MLI - CVG
6h 31m$94–554Fly Omaha to Louisville International Airport
- Fly from Omaha (OMA) to Louisville International Airport (SDF)plane OMA - SDF
7h 29m$144–806Bus via Speedway
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Indianapolis Union Stationbus Greyhound US0157S
- Take the bus from Indianapolis to El Mercadito Grocery - Clarksville, INbus Indianapolis
15h 17m$107–180
Des Moines (DSM) to Louisville International Airport (SDF) flights
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Iowa to Kentucky is to bus which costs $100 - $180 and takes 12h 35m.
The fastest way to get from Iowa to Kentucky is to fly which takes 4h 46m and costs $150 - $850.
No, there is no direct bus from Iowa to Kentucky station. However, there are services departing from Des Moines and arriving at Louisville Bus Station via Indianapolis Union Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 12h 35m.
The distance between Iowa and Kentucky is 495 miles. The road distance is 583.3 miles.
The best way to get from Iowa to Kentucky without a car is to bus which takes 12h 35m and costs $100 - $180.
It takes approximately 4h 46m to get from Iowa to Kentucky, including transfers.
Iowa to Kentucky bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Des Moines station.
The best way to get from Iowa to Kentucky is to fly which takes 4h 46m and costs $150 - $850. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $100 - $180 and takes 12h 35m.
Iowa to Kentucky bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Indianapolis Union Station.
Kentucky is 1h ahead of Iowa. It is currently 3:18 AM in Iowa and 4:18 AM in Kentucky.
What companies run services between Iowa, USA and Kentucky, USA?
Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and two other airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Louisville International Airport (SDF) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Des Moines to Louisville Bus Station via Des Moines and Indianapolis Union Station in around 12h 35m.
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Des Moines to Louisville International Airport via Charlotte
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 50m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $220–1,100
Flights from Des Moines to Louisville International Airport via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 59m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $140–800
Flights from Quad City International Airport to Covington via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 11m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $90–550
Flights from Quad City International Airport to Covington via Charlotte
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 43m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $150–750
Flights from Quad City International Airport to Covington via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 41m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200–950
Flights from Quad City International Airport to Louisville International Airport via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $90–600
Flights from Quad City International Airport to Louisville International Airport via Charlotte
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 52m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $150–800
Flights from Quad City International Airport to Louisville International Airport via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 13m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200–950
Flights from Omaha to Louisville International Airport via Charlotte
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 36m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $220–1,100
Flights from Omaha to Louisville International Airport via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 42m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $150–800
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $40–95
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Chicago Union Station to Indianapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 54m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $50–120
- Website
- Amtrak
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Des Moines to Indianapolis Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $70–120
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Indianapolis Union Station to Louisville Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 50m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $18–29
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Des Moines to Galesburg
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–55
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Indianapolis Union Station to Louisville Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 50m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $18–29
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Des Moines to Indianapolis Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $70–120
- Website
- Greyhound
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Booking & Getting There
Yes, the driving distance between Iowa to Kentucky is 583 miles. It takes approximately 9h 44m to drive from Iowa to Kentucky.
There are 621+ hotels available in Kentucky.








