There are 6 ways to get from Normal to Ames by bus (Greyhound), car, plane, shuttle, train, or taxi
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Bus
best- Take the bus from Bloomington-Normal to Des Moinesbus Greyhound US0157S
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus Jefferson 804 / ...
8h 15m$67–118Drive 306.2 mi
cheapest- Drive from Normal to Amescar 306.2 mi
5h 39m$56–81Fly Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal to Des Moines, shuttle
- Fly from Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal (BMI) to Des Moines (DSM)plane BMI - DSM
- Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
6h 13m$181–891Train to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly to Des Moines, shuttle
- Take the train from Bloomington-Normal to Chicago Union Stationtrain
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Des Moines (DSM)plane ORD - DSM
- Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
6h 58m$196–819Train to Chicago Midway International Airport, fly to Des Moines, shuttle
- Take the train from Bloomington-Normal to Summit Amtraktrain
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Des Moines (DSM)plane MDW - DSM
- Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
6h 20m$224–1,060Train to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, taxi
- Take the train from Bloomington-Normal to Chicago Union Stationtrain
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)plane ORD - FOD
- Take the taxi from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Amestaxi
7h 15m$216–529
Normal to Ames by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Normal to Ames is to drive which costs $55 - $85 and takes 5h 39m.
The fastest way to get from Normal to Ames is to drive which takes 5h 39m and costs $55 - $85.
No, there is no direct bus from Normal to Ames. However, there are services departing from Bloomington-Normal and arriving at Ames via Des Moines. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 8h 15m.
The distance between Normal and Ames is 322 miles. The road distance is 308 miles.
The best way to get from Normal to Ames without a car is to bus which takes 8h 15m and costs $65 - $120.
It takes approximately 8h 15m to get from Normal to Ames, including transfers.
Normal to Ames bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Bloomington-Normal station.
Normal to Ames bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Des Moines station.
Yes, the driving distance between Normal to Ames is 308 miles. It takes approximately 5h 39m to drive from Normal to Ames.
There are 56+ hotels available in Ames.
What companies run services between Normal, IL, USA and Ames, IA, USA?
You can take a bus from Bloomington-Normal to Ames via Des Moines in around 8h 15m.
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal to Des Moines via Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 29m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–700
Flights from Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal to Des Moines via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 31m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–1,100
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80–550
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal to Des Moines via Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 40m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–700
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 34m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80–550
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–270
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 23m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–800
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal to Des Moines via Atlanta
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 8m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $220–1,100
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Bloomington-Normal to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 19m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $30–75
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Bloomington-Normal to Summit Amtrak
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 43m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $30–70
- 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 Bloomington-Normal to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $45–95
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
- Phone
- +1-858-800-8898
- Website
- jeffersonlines.com
Bus from Des Moines to Ames
- Ave. Duration
- 40 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $19–27
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Adult
- $19–27
- Phone
- +1 320.253.2226
- Website
- executiveexpress.biz
Shuttle from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $80–190
- Website
- https://www.executiveexpress.biz
- Schedules at
- https://www.executiveexpress.biz/coverage-areas/
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 21m
- Estimated price
- $140–180
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