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

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There are 6 ways to get from Madison to Iowa by bus, plane, car, 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, fly to Quad City International Airport

    best
    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

  2. Drive 274.5 mi

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

  3. 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 10m
    $130–176

  4. 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 15m

  5. Bus

    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
    $84–162

  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 40m
    $126–258

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

Calendar70Weekly Planes
Duration1h 11mAverage Duration
Ticket$33Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Madison to Iowa.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 287.4 mi
  • Duration: 6h 38m

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

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, Burnsville, and Des Moines in around 11h 10m.

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