Rome2Rio

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

Find Transport to Iowa

See all options

There are 7 ways to get from Madison to Iowa by bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), car, bus, plane, 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. Bus

    best
    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 45m
    $72–155

  2. Drive 274.5 mi

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

  3. Bus, fly to Quad City International Airport

    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 Quad City International Airport (MLI)plane plane ORD - MLI
    6h 38m
    $56–312

  4. 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 11m
    $130–176

  5. 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 42m
    $79–167

  6. 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 45m
    $117–249

  7. Bus, fly to The Eastern Iowa Airport

    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 The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)plane plane ORD - CID
    3. Take the bus from GTC Bay 9 to Court St Transportation Centerbus bus
    8h 7m

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Quad City International Airport (MLI) flights

Calendar72Weekly Planes
Duration1h 11mAverage Duration
Ticket$33Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Madison to Iowa.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 487.3 mi
  • Duration: 10h 45m

What companies run services between Madison, WI, USA and Iowa, USA?

You can take a bus from Madison to Des Moines via Chicago Bus Station and Des Moines in around 10h 45m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around United States

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound