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

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

  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
    4h 55m
    $179–1,123

  2. Drive 274.5 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Madison to Des Moinescar car 274.5 mi
    5h 4m
    $51–73

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Madison to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus FlixBus 2514 / ...
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus Greyhound US0123S / ...
    10h 40m
    $75–143

  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 31m
    $117–611

  5. 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 5m
    $122–165

  6. Bus via Chicago

    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
    $77–151

Madison to Des Moines by bus

Calendar19Weekly Buses
Duration10h 40mAverage Duration
Ticket$75Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

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 Chicago Bus Station in around 10h 40m.

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