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

Find Transport to Des Moines

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There are 7 ways to get from Madison to Des Moines by plane, bus, shuttle, car, bus (Flixbus), 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)planeMSN - DSM
    5h 19m
    $149–873

  2. Bus, shuttle

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Madison to Rochesterbus
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Rochester Sinclair to Owatonna, MNshuttle
    3. Take the bus from Owatonna to Des Moinesbus
    11h
    $42–218

  3. Drive 274.5 mi

    1. Drive from Madison to Des Moinescar274.5 mi
    5h 2m
    $51–73

  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
    2. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Des Moines (DSM)planeORD - DSM
    5h 35m
    $117–611

  5. Bus via Chicago

    1. Take the bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton StbusVan Galder
    2. Take the bus from Chicago to Des MoinesbusChicago
    12h 17m
    $77–201

  6. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Madison to Chicago Bus StationbusFlixBus 2548 / ...
    2. Take the bus from Chicago to Des MoinesbusChicago
    12h 20m
    $83–209

  7. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Madison, WI-Lake St. to Milwaukee, WI - Amtrakbus
    2. Take the train from Milwaukee to Chicago Union Stationtrain
    3. Take the bus from Chicago to Des Moinesbus
    12h 23m
    $84–254

Madison to Des Moines by bus and foot

Calendar14Weekly Services
Duration12h 17mAverage Duration
Ticket$77Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

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

American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta fly from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) to Des Moines (DSM) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to Des Moines via W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St and Chicago in around 12h 17m.

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