Cheap bus tickets from Des Moines to Madison

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Bus from Des Moines to Madison: Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from Des Moines to Madison. Travelling by bus from Des Moines to Madison usually takes around 15 hours and 27 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 13 hours and 40 minutes.

Distance: 238 mi (383 km)
Shortest duration: 13h 40m
Cheapest price: $235.89
Trips per day: 2
Most frequent service: Jefferson Lines
Bus lines: 1

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Des Moines to Madison Bus Schedule

There are several bus options that can take you from Des Moines to Madison:

Jefferson Lines: 2 daily buses from $236

See more details

How much is a bus ticket from Des Moines to Madison?

Bus tickets for a trip from Des Moines to Madison cost about $238 when you book at the cheapest time, 2 days ahead. Bus tickets on this route can be a bit expensive due to the length of the trip. But even with a higher price tag, taking the bus is often more affordable than flying to Madison. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Average bus ticket prices from Des Moines to Madison by travel date

If you're planning to travel by bus from Des Moines to Madison in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $243 to $243. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on November 6, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Madison this week, bus tickets are available starting at $243.

Average bus ticket prices from Des Moines to Madison by month

Travelling from Des Moines to Madison by bus will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, bus ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $237 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. Booking in advance, even by a couple of days, is the best way to find cheaper bus tickets.

What bus companies travel from Des Moines to Madison?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Des Moines to Madison. Jefferson Lines is the one bus line that serves this route. Although it's the sole option, there are a couple of different scheduled times to choose from.

Bus	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Jefferson Lines	2	15h 27m	$237.88

Jefferson Lines is a well-established intercity bus company with service to some of the Midwest’s top travel destinations. As one of the United States’ largest bus service providers, Jefferson Lines is beloved by students, commuters, and vacationers in America’s heartland. Travel with Jefferson Lines is comfortable thanks to reclining seats, individual climate controls, washrooms, and free WiFi. You can even check the status of your trip with their bus tracker tool. The carrier provides safe, affordable, and reliable service from Des Moines to Madison with ticket prices as low as $235.89.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by bus from Des Moines to Madison

There are usually only 2 buses per day from Des Moines to Madison. However, neither bus offers direct service, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to transfer buses during the trip.

Trips per day

Direct trips

The bus takes an average of 15 hours and 27 minutes to cover the 383 kilometres from Des Moines to Madison. However, the fastest bus only takes 13 hours and 40 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

Distance (mi)

238

Distance (km)

383

The first bus leaves at 12:01 a.m. and the last bus leaves at 4:05 a.m. To see the times for all buses from Des Moines to Madison, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

12:01am

Latest bus

4:05am

Thursday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, travelling mid-week is your best bet.

Most crowded

Thursday

Least crowded

Wednesday

City Information

Des Moines

Des Moines is the capital city of Iowa and the most populous city in the state. It has been named the third-largest insurance capital in the world because of its relevance in the US insurance industry. Des Moines is home to historic landmarks, especially in the East Village area. These include the gold-domed Iowa State Capitol building. Art lovers can visit the Des Moines Art Center, which has notable contemporary collections, and the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, a pedestrian space with public attractions. Des Moines also has spots for outdoor adventures, like the Blank Park Zoo, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Living History Farms.

Des Moines offers diverse places for entertainment, like the Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack & Hotel, and the Salisbury House & Gardens, a concert venue in a 1920s manor. In the heart of the city is Downtown Des Moines, which has different attractions and entertainment venues, festivals and concerts, shopping spots, sports teams, restaurants, bars, and breweries.

It's very easy to access Des Moines when you're travelling by bus. Over a hundred neighbouring cities offer bus lines to the city, powered by companies like Jefferson Lines, Tornado Bus, Burlington Trailways, and El Expreso Bus. The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority also provides bus routes throughout the city.

Madison

Consistently ranking high on the lists of the best places to live in the USA, Madison still maintains its quaint and idyllic small-town vibe despite being the capital city of Wisconsin. Sitting among the city’s most iconic and most popular landmarks is the Madison Memorial Union, which is located within the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colourful chairs, allowing visitors to chill out and enjoy the sun. If you are interested in the history of the state or architecture as a whole, head over to the State Capitol building, which was built between 1906 and 1917. The building features lavish council chambers, which were modeled after the famous Doge’s Palace in Venice, along with other architectural highlights. If you wish to stay close to nature, the Olbrich Botanical garden, with its famous Thai Pavilion and Garden, will certainly be a great choice.

As a college city, Madison features numerous cutting-edge establishments that will make your mouth water. For some of the best dining views in town, head over to Graze, where you can also grab some of the best cheese curds in Madison. If you want to enjoy the best brunch in town, Sardine might have what you need.

The busiest bus/train station in Madison is located on Collins Ct. The city is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, 6 miles northeast of downtown.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Des Moines?

Main departure station: Des Moines

Most buses depart from the main station in Des Moines.

All bus stations in Des Moines:

Des Moines

Where does the bus arrive in Madison?

Main arrival station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

All buses from Des Moines arrive at one main station in Madison.

All bus stations in Madison:

University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

Need a return trip from Madison to Des Moines?

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