There are 5 ways to get from Madison to Des Moines by plane, bus, 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 from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field
best- Fly from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) to Des Moines (DSM)plane MSN - DSM
4h 55m$169–973Drive 274.5 mi
cheapest- Drive from Madison to Des Moinescar 274.5 mi
5h 4m$51–73Bus via Bloomington
- Take the bus from Madison, WI-Lake St. to Mall of America - IKEA - Bloomingtonbus Madison
- Take the bus from Burnsville to Des Moinesbus Jefferson 801 / ...
11h 5m$122–165Bus to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly
- Take the bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to O'Hare International Airport - Terminal 1 Departuresbus
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Des Moines (DSM)plane ORD - DSM
5h 42m$112–561Bus
- Take the bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton Stbus Van Galder
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus Greyhound US0123S / ...
11h 37m$72–151
Madison to Des Moines by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Madison to Des Moines is to drive which costs $50 - $75 and takes 5h 4m.
The fastest way to get from Madison to Des Moines is to fly which takes 4h 55m and costs $160 - $1,000.
No, there is no direct bus from Madison to Des Moines. However, there are services departing from Madison, WI-Lake St. and arriving at Des Moines via American & Thunderbird Station, Mall of America Transit Station Gate F and Burnsville. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 11h 5m.
The distance between Madison and Des Moines is 261 miles. The road distance is 276.1 miles.
The best way to get from Madison to Des Moines without a car is to bus via Bloomington which takes 11h 5m and costs $120 - $170.
It takes approximately 4h 55m to get from Madison to Des Moines, including transfers.
Madison to Des Moines bus services, operated by Badger Bus, depart from Madison, WI-Lake St. station.
The best way to get from Madison to Des Moines is to fly which takes 4h 55m and costs $160 - $1,000. Alternatively, you can bus via Bloomington, which costs $120 - $170 and takes 11h 5m.
Madison to Des Moines bus services, operated by Badger Bus, arrive at Mall of America - IKEA - Bloomington station.
Yes, the driving distance between Madison to Des Moines is 276 miles. It takes approximately 5h 4m to drive from Madison to Des Moines.
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, 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 5m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field to Des Moines via Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $150–950
Flights from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $350–1,700
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 34m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–500
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field to Des Moines via Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 46m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $150–950
Flights from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field to Des Moines via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 12m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $360–1,700
Flights from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field to Des Moines via Charlotte
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 52m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $370–1,800
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 36m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–500
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field to Des Moines via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 24m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–1,000
Flights from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field to Des Moines via Atlanta
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $360–1,700
Flights from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field to Des Moines via Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 22m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $240–1,300
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Des Moines via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 47m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–650
- Phone
- +1 414-266-4409
- ticketinfo@badgerbus.com
- Website
- badgerbus.com
Bus from Madison, WI-Lake St. to Mall of America - IKEA - Bloomington
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 35m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $55–75
- Website
- https://badgerbus.com
- Phone
- +1-858-800-8898
- Website
- jeffersonlines.com
Bus from Burnsville to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 40m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $60–85
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Adult
- $60–85
- Phone
- +1 608-752-5407
- vangalder@coachusa.com
- Website
- coachusa.com
Bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to O'Hare International Airport - Terminal 1 Departures
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $20–40
- Website
- https://www.coachusa.com/van-galder-bus-company
Bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St
- Ave. Duration
- 4h
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $22–45
- Website
- https://www.coachusa.com/van-galder-bus-company
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 30m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $50–110
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
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