Rome2Rio

How to get fromWashington to Amesby plane, shuttle, bus (Greyhound), train, bus, car, taxi or subway

Find Transport to Ames

See all options

There are 8 ways to get from Washington to Ames by plane, shuttle, bus (Greyhound), train, bus, car, taxi, or subway

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Des Moines, shuttle

    best
    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane DCA - DSM
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    4h 5m
    $415–1,927

  2. Drive 1,004.9 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Washington to Amescar car 1,004.9 mi
    17h 57m
    $184–265

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Washington Union Station to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus bus
    28h 30m
    $192–399

  4. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus bus
    28h 54m
    $287–639

  5. Fly Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, taxi

    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)plane plane DCA - FOD
    2. Take the taxi from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Amestaxi taxi
    6h 50m
    $296–979

  6. Train to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, fly to Des Moines, shuttle

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshalltrain train
    2. Fly from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane BWI - DSM
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    7h 27m
    $272–1,735

  7. Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to Des Moines, shuttle

    1. Take the subway from Farragut West, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platformsubway subway
    2. Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane IAD - DSM
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    7h 31m
    $252–1,098

  8. Train, bus via Minneapolis

    1. Take the train from Rockville Amtrak to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to St. Paul-Minneapolistrain train
    3. Take the bus from Minneapolis to Amesbus bus
    33h 17m
    $345–835

Washington to Ames by bus

Calendar7Weekly Buses
Duration28h 30mAverage Duration
Ticket$192Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

What companies run services between Washington, DC, USA and Ames, IA, USA?

You can take a bus from Washington Union Station to Ames via Chicago Bus Station and Des Moines in around 28h 30m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators
Other operators

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

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound

More Questions & Answers

Trips from Washington

Trips to Ames

Popular routes