There are 4 ways to get from Washington to Des Moines by plane, bus (Greyhound), train, bus, 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.
Fly
best- Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines (DSM)plane DCA - DSM
3h 12m$322–1,611Bus (Greyhound)
cheapest- Take the bus from Washington Union Station to Chicago Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0164
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus Greyhound US0123 / ...
24h 59m$110–291Train, bus
- Take the train from Washington Union Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain Floridian / ...
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus Greyhound US0123 / ...
25h 23m$140–656Drive 1,002.5 mi
- Drive from Washington to Des Moinescar 1,002.5 mi
17h 9m$183–265
Washington to Des Moines by bus (Greyhound)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Washington to Des Moines is to bus which costs $110 - $300 and takes 24h 59m.
The fastest way to get from Washington to Des Moines is to fly which takes 3h 12m and costs $320 - $1,700.
No, there is no direct bus from Washington station to Des Moines. However, there are services departing from Washington Union Station and arriving at Des Moines via Chicago Bus Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 24h 59m.
The distance between Washington and Des Moines is 906 miles. The road distance is 1008.3 miles.
The best way to get from Washington to Des Moines without a car is to bus which takes 24h 59m and costs $110 - $300.
It takes approximately 3h 12m to get from Washington to Des Moines, including transfers.
Washington to Des Moines bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Washington Union Station.
The best way to get from Washington to Des Moines is to fly which takes 3h 12m and costs $320 - $1,700. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $110 - $300 and takes 24h 59m.
Washington to Des Moines bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Chicago Bus Station.
Des Moines is 1h behind Washington. It is currently 7:10 AM in Washington and 6:10 AM in Des Moines.
What companies run services between Washington, DC, USA and Des Moines, IA, USA?
American Airlines, United Airlines, and two other airlines fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines (DSM) every 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Washington Union Station to Des Moines via Chicago Bus Station in around 24h 59m.
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 2m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $300–1,600
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Des Moines via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 46m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $300–1,600
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Des Moines via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 16m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $300–1,600
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Des Moines via Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 13m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $310–1,700
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Des Moines via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 14m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $360–1,800
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Des Moines via St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 45m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $320–1,700
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Washington Union Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 17h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $100–550
- 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 Washington Union Station to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 17h 25m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $70–180
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 34m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $40–120
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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More Questions & Answers
Yes, the driving distance between Washington to Des Moines is 1008 miles. It takes approximately 17h 9m to drive from Washington to Des Moines.
Book your Washington to Des Moines bus tickets online with Omio and FlixBus.
There are 244+ hotels available in Des Moines.





