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How to get fromMadison to Des Moinesby plane, bus, car, bus (Greyhound) or bus (Flixbus, Greyhound)

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There are 6 ways to get from Madison to Des Moines by plane, bus, car, bus (Greyhound), or bus (Flixbus, Greyhound)

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field

    best
    1. Fly from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane MSN - DSM
    5h 25m
    $159–923

  2. Drive 274.5 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Madison to Des Moinescar car 274.5 mi
    5h 3m
    $51–73

  3. Bus via Bloomington

    1. Take the bus from Madison, WI-Lake St. to Mall of America - IKEA - Bloomingtonbus bus Madison
    2. Take the bus from Burnsville to Des Moinesbus bus Jefferson 801 / ...
    11h 2m
    $83–180

  4. Bus to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly

    1. Take the bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to O'Hare International Airport - Terminal 1 Departuresbus bus
    2. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane ORD - DSM
    5h 35m
    $117–661

  5. Bus

    1. Take the bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton Stbus bus Van Galder
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus Greyhound US0123 / ...
    11h 41m
    $62–136

  6. Bus #2

    1. Take the bus from Madison to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus FlixBus 2548 / ...
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus Greyhound US0123 / ...
    11h 44m
    $68–142

Madison to Des Moines by bus

Calendar2Weekly Buses
Duration11h 2mAverage Duration
Ticket$83Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

What companies run services between Madison, WI, USA and Des Moines, IA, USA?

United Airlines, Delta, and American Airlines fly from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) to Des Moines (DSM) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Madison, WI-Lake St. to Des Moines via Mall of America - IKEA - Bloomington, American & Thunderbird Station, MOA Transit Station Gate A, Mall of America Transit Station Gate F, and Burnsville in around 11h 2m.

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