There are 10 ways to get from Merced to Des Moines by bus, plane, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), train, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Bus to Stockton Metropolitan Airport, fly
best- Take the bus from Merced to Stockton
- Fly from Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK) to Des Moines (DSM)SCK - DSM
10h 11m$277–1,227Fly from Merced Municipal Airport
cheapest- Fly from Merced Municipal Airport (MCE) to Des Moines (DSM)MCE - DSM
7h 19m$208–974Bus
- Take the bus from Merced to Sacramento Bus Station
- Take the bus from Sacramento Bus Station to Sparks Transit Center
- Take the bus from Sparks Transit Center to Denver Union Station
- Take the bus from Denver to Des Moines
40h 52m$211–424Bus, train via Los Angeles
- Take the bus from Merced to Bakersfield Train Station
- Take the bus from Bakersfield to Los Angeles
- Take the train from Los Angeles to Kansas City
- Take the bus from Kansas City to Des Moines
47h 52mDrive 1,738.1 mi
- Drive from Merced to Des Moines1,738.1 mi
28h 38m$318–459Bus to Fresno Yosemite International Airport, fly
- Take the bus from Merced Bus Stop to Fresno Bus Station
- Fly from Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) to Des Moines (DSM)FAT - DSM
8h 34m$283–1,343Bus to Sacramento International Airport, fly
- Take the bus from Merced to Sacramento Bus Station
- Fly from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Des Moines (DSM)SMF - DSM
10h 5m$282–1,252Bus, bus to Oakland International Airport, fly
- Take the bus from Merced Bus Stop to Modesto Bus Stop
- Take the bus from Bay C - Modesto Transit Center - 2nd exi to BART Dublin Station
- Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Des Moines (DSM)OAK - DSM
10h 30m$236–998Bus, train to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, fly
- Take the bus from Merced to Stockton
- Take the train from Stockton- Robert J Cabral Station to Santa Clara Station
- Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Des Moines (DSM)SJC - DSM
11h 59m$265–1,231Bus, train
- Take the bus from Merced Bus Stop to Sacramento Bus Station
- Take the train from Sacramento to Galesburg Amtrak Station
- Take the bus from Galesburg to Des Moines
2d 10h$269–475
Merced to Des Moines by bus and foot
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Merced to Des Moines is to bus which costs $210 - $430 and takes 40h 52m.
The fastest way to get from Merced to Des Moines is to fly which takes 7h 19m and costs $200 - $1,000.
No, there is no direct bus from Merced to Des Moines. However, there are services departing from Merced and arriving at Des Moines via Sacramento Bus Station, Sparks Transit Center and Denver. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 40h 52m.
The distance between Merced and Des Moines is 1573 miles. The road distance is 1748.3 miles.
The best way to get from Merced to Des Moines without a car is to bus which takes 40h 52m and costs $210 - $430.
It takes approximately 10h 11m to get from Merced to Des Moines, including transfers.
Merced to Des Moines bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from Merced station.
The best way to get from Merced to Des Moines is to bus which takes 40h 52m and costs $210 - $430. Alternatively, you can fly, which costs $200 - $1,000 and takes 7h 19m.
Merced to Des Moines bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at Sacramento Bus Station.
Des Moines is 2h ahead of Merced. It is currently 12:53 AM in Merced and 2:53 AM in Des Moines.
What companies run services between Merced, CA, USA and Des Moines, IA, USA?
You can take a bus from Merced to Des Moines via Sacramento Bus Station, Sparks Transit Center, Denver Union Station, and Denver in around 40h 52m. Alternatively, Advanced Air, LLC, Southwest Airlines, and two other airlines fly from Merced Municipal Airport (MCE) to Des Moines (DSM) 6 times a week.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Fresno Yosemite International Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 7m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $250–1,300
Flights from Fresno Yosemite International Airport to Des Moines via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 32m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $260–1,300
Flights from Sacramento International Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 12m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $240–1,200
Flights from Sacramento International Airport to Des Moines via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $250–1,200
Flights from Sacramento International Airport to Des Moines via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 15m
- When
- Saturday
- Estimated price
- $280–1,300
Flights from Oakland International Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 20m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $200–950
Flights from Oakland International Airport to Des Moines via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $210–1,000
Flights from Oakland International Airport to Des Moines via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 5m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $220–1,100
Flights from Merced Municipal Airport to Des Moines via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 50m
- When
- Monday and Tuesday
- Estimated price
- $190–950
Flights from Merced Municipal Airport to Des Moines via Las Vegas, Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 10m
- When
- Monday
- Estimated price
- $190–950
Flights from Merced Municipal Airport to Des Moines via Las Vegas, St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 50m
- When
- Monday
- Estimated price
- $230–1,100
Flights from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Des Moines via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 35m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $230–1,100
Flights from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- When
- Monday to Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $220–1,100
Flights from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Des Moines via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 55m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $250–1,200
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Stockton Metropolitan Airport to Des Moines via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 43m
- When
- Friday
- Estimated price
- $250–1,200
Flights from Fresno Yosemite International Airport to Des Moines via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $280–1,400
Flights from Fresno Yosemite International Airport to Des Moines via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 43m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $320–1,500
Flights from Sacramento International Airport to Des Moines via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 41m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $280–1,300
Flights from Sacramento International Airport to Des Moines via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 28m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $310–1,400
Flights from Merced Municipal Airport to Des Moines via Las Vegas, Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 14m
- When
- Monday
- Estimated price
- $210–1,000
Flights from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Des Moines via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 9m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $250–1,200
Flights from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Des Moines via Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 12m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $250–1,200
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Stockton Metropolitan Airport to Des Moines via Las Vegas, Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 30m
- When
- Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $230–1,100
Flights from Fresno Yosemite International Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 21m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $250–1,300
Flights from Fresno Yosemite International Airport to Des Moines via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 37m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $330–1,500
Flights from Fresno Yosemite International Airport to Des Moines via Los Angeles, Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 42m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $280–1,400
Flights from Sacramento International Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 48m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $240–1,200
Flights from Oakland International Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 7m
- When
- Monday to Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $200–950
Flights from Merced Municipal Airport to Des Moines via Las Vegas, Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 44m
- When
- Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $190–950
Flights from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 46m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $220–1,100
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Sacramento International Airport to Des Moines via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 50m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $270–1,300
Flights from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Des Moines via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 28m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $250–1,200
- Website
- allegiantair.com
Flights from Stockton Metropolitan Airport to Des Moines via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 57m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $230–1,100
Flights from Fresno Yosemite International Airport to Des Moines via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 33m
- When
- Monday
- Estimated price
- $260–1,300
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Los Angeles to Kansas City
- Ave. Duration
- 35h 7m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $130–250
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Sacramento to Galesburg Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 47h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $200–350
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 800-411-7245
- Website
- acerail.com
Train from Stockton- Robert J Cabral Station to Santa Clara Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $13–18
- Website
- https://acerail.com
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- flixbus.com
Bus from Merced to Stockton
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $10–85
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
- Adult
- $10–85
Bus from Merced to Sacramento Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 20m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $20–25
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
Bus from Merced to Bakersfield Train Station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–40
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Sacramento Bus Station to Sparks Transit Center
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 40m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $21–70
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Sparks Transit Center to Denver Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 20h 55m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $60–100
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Merced Bus Stop to Fresno Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $14–20
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Merced Bus Stop to Modesto Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 50 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $12–16
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Merced Bus Stop to Sacramento Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 50m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $21–27
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
- Phone
- +1 (319) 753-2864
- info@burlingtontrailways.com
- Website
- burlingtontrailways.com
Bus from Denver to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $110–230
- Website
- https://burlingtontrailways.com
- Saver Fares
- $110–160
- Flexible Fares
- $150–230
Bus from Galesburg to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $45–95
- Website
- https://burlingtontrailways.com
- Saver Fares
- $45–70
- Flexible Fares
- $60–95
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Bus from Bakersfield to Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 30m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1-858-800-8898
- Website
- jeffersonlines.com
Bus from Kansas City to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $18–90
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Website
- stanrta.org
Bus from Bay C - Modesto Transit Center - 2nd exi to BART Dublin Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $2
- Website
- https://www.stanrta.org/
- One Day Pass
- $2
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More Questions & Answers
Yes, the driving distance between Merced to Des Moines is 1748 miles. It takes approximately 28h 38m to drive from Merced to Des Moines.
Book your Merced to Des Moines bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 225+ hotels available in Des Moines.















