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

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There are 8 ways to get from Madison to Des Moines by plane, bus, car, bus (Greyhound), 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.

  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 22m
    $94–483

  2. Drive  274.5 mi

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

  3. Bus via Owatonna

    1. Take the bus from Madison to Rochesterbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Rochester to Owatonnabus bus
    3. Take the bus from Owatonna to Des Moinesbus bus
    11h 24m
    $109–189

  4. Bus to General Mitchell International Airport, fly

    1. Take the bus from Madison, WI-Lake St. to Mitchell Airportbus bus
    2. Fly from General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane MKE - DSM
    6h 44m
    $108–503

  5. 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 36m
    $81–351

  6. Bus to Chicago Midway 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 Midway International Airport (MDW) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane MDW - DSM
    6h 57m
    $105–471

  7. 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 US0123S / ...
    11h 37m
    $76–141

  8. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Madison, WI-Lake St. to Milwaukee, WI - Amtrakbus bus
    2. Take the train from Milwaukee to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    3. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Galesburg Amtrak Stationtrain train
    4. Take the bus from Galesburg to Des Moinesbus bus
    13h 35m
    $112–240

Madison to Des Moines by bus

Calendar7Weekly Buses
Duration11h 24mAverage Duration
Ticket$109Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Madison to Des Moines.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 259.8 mi
  • Duration: 5h 22m

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

United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta fly from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) to Des Moines (DSM) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Madison to Des Moines via Rochester and Owatonna in around 11h 24m.

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