There are 7 ways to get from Milwaukee to Des Moines by plane, train, bus, car, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), or bus (Greyhound)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly from General Mitchell International Airport
best- Fly from General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) to Des Moines (DSM)plane MKE - DSM
5h 13m$199–1,223Drive 354.8 mi
cheapest- Drive from Milwaukee to Des Moinescar 354.8 mi
6h 23m$65–94Train, bus
- Take the train from Milwaukee to Chicago Union Stationtrain Hiawatha Service / ...
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus Greyhound US0155S
11h 3m$78–159Bus to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly
- Take the bus from Milwaukee Intermodal/Amtrak Station to O'Hare International Airport - Terminal 2 Departuresbus
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Des Moines (DSM)plane ORD - DSM
4h 23m$136–613Train to Chicago Midway International Airport, fly
- Take the train from Milwaukee to Chicago Union Stationtrain
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Des Moines (DSM)plane MDW - DSM
5h 5m$162–875Bus
- Take the bus from Milwaukee Intermodal Station to Chicago Bus Stationbus FlixBus 2548 / ...
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus Greyhound US0155S
11h 40m$66–139Bus via Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD)
- Take the bus from Milwaukee Intermodal/Amtrak Station to O'Hare International Airport - Terminal 2 Departuresbus Wisconsin Coach Lines
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus Greyhound US0155S
12h 18m$96–157
Milwaukee to Des Moines by train, foot, and bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Milwaukee to Des Moines is to drive which costs $65 - $95 and takes 6h 23m.
The fastest way to get from Milwaukee to Des Moines is to bus and fly which takes 4h 23m and costs $130 - $650.
No, there is no direct bus from Milwaukee station to Des Moines. However, there are services departing from Milwaukee Intermodal Station and arriving at Des Moines via Chicago Bus Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 11h 40m.
The distance between Milwaukee and Des Moines is 325 miles. The road distance is 356.9 miles.
The best way to get from Milwaukee to Des Moines without a car is to train and bus which takes 11h 3m and costs $75 - $160.
It takes approximately 5h 13m to get from Milwaukee to Des Moines, including transfers.
Milwaukee to Des Moines bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from Milwaukee Intermodal Station.
The best way to get from Milwaukee to Des Moines is to fly which takes 5h 13m and costs $190 - $1,300. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $65 - $140 and takes 11h 40m.
Milwaukee to Des Moines bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at Chicago Bus Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Milwaukee to Des Moines is 357 miles. It takes approximately 6h 23m to drive from Milwaukee to Des Moines.
What companies run services between Milwaukee, WI, USA and Des Moines, IA, USA?
United Airlines, Delta, and two other airlines fly from General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) to Des Moines (DSM) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Milwaukee Intermodal Station to Des Moines via Chicago Bus Station in around 11h 40m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from General Mitchell International Airport to Des Moines via Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 46m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $180–1,200
Flights from General Mitchell International Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 42m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $440–2,100
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80–550
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from General Mitchell International Airport to Des Moines via Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 37m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $180–1,200
Flights from General Mitchell International Airport to Des Moines via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 49m
- When
- Tuesday
- Estimated price
- $440–2,100
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 26m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80–550
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from General Mitchell International Airport to Des Moines via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 33m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $220–1,400
Flights from General Mitchell International Airport to Des Moines via Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 38m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $280–1,600
Flights from General Mitchell International Airport to Des Moines via Atlanta
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 33m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $430–2,100
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from General Mitchell International Airport to Des Moines via Chicago Midway International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 27m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $190–1,200
Flights from General Mitchell International Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 45m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- $440–2,100
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–800
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
- $22–50
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
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 Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $55–110
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Milwaukee Intermodal Station to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $15–29
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
- Phone
- (866) 912 6224
- questions@coachusa.com
- Website
- coachusa.com
Bus from Milwaukee Intermodal/Amtrak Station to O'Hare International Airport - Terminal 2 Departures
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 50m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $38–42
- Schedules at
- coachusa.com
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- flixbus.com
Bus from Milwaukee Intermodal Station to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 15m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $11–20
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
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More Questions & Answers
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