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

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There are 10 ways to get from Madison to Des Moines by plane, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), car, bus, 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 13m
    $75–365

  2. Drive  274.5 mi

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

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Madison to Saint Paul Union Depotbus bus FlixBus 2548
    2. Take the bus from Saint Paul Union Depot to Des Moinesbus bus Greyhound US0156
    10h 20m
    $107–157

  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 36m
    $82–343

  5. 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 38m
    $109–505

  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 59m
    $106–483

  7. Bus via Des Moines

    1. Take the bus from Madison to Saint Paul Union Depotbus bus FlixBus 2548
    2. Take the bus from St. Paul to Des Moinesbus bus Jefferson Lines 805
    10h 45m
    $132–182

  8. 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 Minneapolis-St. Paul to Des Moinesbus bus Jefferson Lines 803
    11h 35m
    $126–170

  9. Bus #2

    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
    $81–146

  10. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Madison, WI-Lake St. to Milwaukee, WI - Amtrakbus bus
    2. Take the train from Milwaukee to St. Paul-Minneapolistrain train
    3. Take the bus from Saint Paul Union Depot to Des Moinesbus bus
    13h 57m
    $240–385

Madison to Des Moines by bus

Calendar7Weekly Buses
Duration10h 20mAverage Duration
Ticket$107Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Madison to Des Moines.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 259.8 mi
  • Duration: 5h 13m

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

Delta, United Airlines, 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 to Des Moines via Saint Paul Union Depot in around 10h 20m.

Airlines
Train operators
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