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Indianapolis to Des Moines bus

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Indianapolis - Des Moines Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from Indianapolis to Des Moines. Traveling by bus from Indianapolis to Des Moines usually takes around 11 hours and 57 minutes, but the fastest Burlington Trailways bus can make the trip in 11 hours and 25 minutes.

Distance410 mi (660 km)
Shortest duration11h 25m
Cheapest price$167.76
Trips per day1
Most frequent serviceBurlington Trailways
Bus lines2

What bus companies travel from Indianapolis to Des Moines?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Indianapolis to Des Moines that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Burlington Trailways usually offers more choice, with 2 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Burlington Trailways211h 45m$204.01
Tornado Bus11d 20h 0m$190.94
  • Book Burlington Trailways from Indianapolis to Des Moines from $168. There are 2 Burlington Trailways schedules from Indianapolis to Des Moines and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to Des Moines. In Indianapolis, Burlington Trailways departs to Des Moines from 350 S Illinois St and no other station. In Des Moines, Burlington Trailways arrives at Des Moines and no other station.

    An average trip on Burlington Trailways from Indianapolis to Des Moines takes 11 hours and 45 minutes , while the fastest available Burlington Trailways trip will get you to Des Moines in 11 hours and 25 minutes .

    On weekends, Burlington Trailways offers 2 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Des Moines.

  • Tornado Bus is a Texan bus company operating in Texas and Mexico. Their bus service connects cities such as Houston, McAllen, San Antonio, and the international border at El Paso. Their buses offer onboard WiFi, plenty of leg room, air conditioning, restrooms, and power outlets.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 11 hours and 57 minutes to cover the 660 kilometers from Indianapolis to Des Moines. However, the fastest bus only takes 11 hours and 25 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.

Because many passengers travel from Indianapolis to Des Moines at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Friday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 7:00am and the last bus leaves at 7:00am. To see the times for all buses from Indianapolis to Des Moines, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are usually only 2 buses per day from Indianapolis to Des Moines. One bus is a direct connection, meaning that you can stay on the same vehicle for the entire trip, without having to transfer onto a connecting bus at any point.

City Information

Indianapolis

Indianapolis, or often referred to as just Indy, is the capital and largest city in the state of Indiana. While the city attracts thousands of visitors from the area every month, it is during Memorial Day weekend that Indianapolis becomes the place to be for over 300,000 race car fans from all over the globe. The reason for that is the Indianapolis 500, an annual automobile race and the world’s largest single day sporting event, taking place at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

If you’re not in Indianapolis for Memorial Day weekend, you can learn about the race and see a rare collection of 500 Indy race vehicles and memorabilia at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. And while you’re on a history streak, stop by at one of the many war memorials found throughout the city, like the Soldiers and Sailors monument, the World War II memorial, and the Indiana War Memorial where you must check out the Shrine Room for a stunning one-of-a-kind experience.

Over the past few years, Indianapolis has also been cultivating a vibrant restaurant scene, offering classic American dishes made with ingredients from local farmers, and a growing selection of international cuisine. If you’re a beer fan, you will be happy to know that Indianapolis has some of the highest quality breweries in the U.S.

Located in the heart of America’s Midwest, Indianapolis offers easy connections by bus and train to other Midwestern hubs like Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati, while the conveniently located airport connects Indy with the rest of the world.

Des Moines

Des Moines, IA, US - DSM-0

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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 Praire 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 traveling by bus. Over a hundred neighboring 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.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Indianapolis?

Indianapolis, IN - Indianapolis Union Station (350 S Illinois St) - INDAMT-0

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Link to image attribution

Main departure station: 350 S Illinois St

Union Station at 350 S Illinois St in Indianapolis is a major train and bus station which serves the Amtrak Cardinal, and bus carriers including Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Miller Transportation, and Burlington Trailways. The modern station is located directly south of the historic 1888 Union Station, which now houses a hotel, several restaurants, and a wedding venue. Union Station is in the Wholesale District of downtown Indianapolis, within walking distance to eateries and hotels. There is even an underground, climate-controlled walkway from the station to the nearby Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, home to the Indianapolis Colts.

All bus stations in Indianapolis:

  • 350 S Illinois St

  • 2911 W Washington St

Where does the bus arrive in Des Moines?

Main arrival station: Des Moines

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Des Moines.

Bus stations in Des Moines:

  • Des Moines

  • Diversity Insurance Inc

Get around town with Moovit

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Need a return trip from Des Moines to Indianapolis?

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