There are 4 ways to get from Madison to Iowa City by bus (Greyhound), car, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), bus, 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.
Bus via Chicago
best- 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 Iowa Citybus Greyhound US0123 / ...
9h 21m$62–121Drive 173.1 mi
cheapest- Drive from Madison to Iowa Citycar 173.1 mi
3h 17m$32–46Bus
- Take the bus from Madison to Chicago Bus Stationbus FlixBus 2548 / ...
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Iowa Citybus Greyhound US0123 / ...
9h 24m$68–128Bus, train
- Take the bus from Madison, WI-Lake St. to Milwaukee, WI - Amtrakbus
- Take the train from Milwaukee to Chicago Union Stationtrain
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Iowa Citybus
9h 27m$69–174
Madison to Iowa City by bus and foot
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Madison to Iowa City is to drive which costs $30 - $50 and takes 3h 17m.
The fastest way to get from Madison to Iowa City is to drive which takes 3h 17m and costs $30 - $50.
No, there is no direct bus from Madison to Iowa City. However, there are services departing from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus and arriving at Iowa City via Chicago Bus Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 9h 21m.
The distance between Madison and Iowa City is 382 miles. The road distance is 174.1 miles.
The best way to get from Madison to Iowa City without a car is to bus via Chicago which takes 9h 21m and costs $60 - $130.
It takes approximately 9h 21m to get from Madison to Iowa City, including transfers.
Madison to Iowa City bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from Madison station.
Madison to Iowa City bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at Chicago Bus Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Madison to Iowa City is 174 miles. It takes approximately 3h 17m to drive from Madison to Iowa City.
Book your Madison to Iowa City bus tickets online with FlixBus.
What companies run services between Madison, WI, USA and Iowa City, IA, USA?
You can take a bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to Iowa City via W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St and Chicago Bus Station in around 9h 21m.
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Milwaukee to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 29m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $22–40
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 608-752-5407
- vangalder@coachusa.com
- Website
- coachusa.com
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 Iowa City
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 14m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $40–80
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- flixbus.com
Bus from Madison to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 10m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $27–50
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
Bus from Madison, WI-Lake St. to Milwaukee, WI - Amtrak
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $20–35
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
- Phone
- +1 414-266-4409
- ticketinfo@badgerbus.com
- Website
- badgerbus.com
Bus from Madison, WI-Lake St. to Milwaukee, WI - Amtrak
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $23–30
- Website
- https://badgerbus.com
- Phone
- +1-858-800-8898
- Website
- jeffersonlines.com
Bus from Madison, WI-Lake St. to Milwaukee, WI - Amtrak
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $7–55
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Phone
- +1 800-236-1240
- Website
- golamers.com
Bus from Madison, WI-Lake St. to Milwaukee, WI - Amtrak
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 50m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $21–50
- Website
- https://www.golamers.com/
- Schedules at
- https://www.golamers.com/
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
Travelling to the US: What do I need to know?
Read the travel guide
Need to know: Greyhound
Read the travel guide
Why you should take the train in the US
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
There are 42+ hotels available in Iowa City.













