Cheap bus tickets from Saint Cloud to Des Moines
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Bus from Saint Cloud to Des Moines: Journey Information
There are 8 intercity buses per day from Saint Cloud to Des Moines. Travelling by bus from Saint Cloud to Des Moines usually takes around 10 hours and 39 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 7 hours and 10 minutes.
- Distance
- 275 mi (442 km)
- Shortest duration
- 7h 10m
- Cheapest price
- $162.31
- Trips per day
- 8
- Most frequent service
- Jefferson Lines
- Bus lines
- 1
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Saint Cloud to Des Moines Bus Schedule

There are several bus options that can take you from Saint Cloud to Des Moines:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Saint Cloud to Des Moines?
Bus tickets for a trip from Saint Cloud to Des Moines cost about $169 when you book at the cheapest time, 1 day 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 Des Moines. 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 Saint Cloud to Des Moines by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Saint Cloud to Des Moines in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $206 to $206. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on November 12, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Des Moines this week, bus tickets are available starting at $206.
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. To save money on bus tickets and ensure availability, it's always best to book in advance.
What bus companies travel from Saint Cloud to Des Moines?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Saint Cloud to Des Moines. Jefferson Lines connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 8 | 10h 39m | $187.17 |
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 Saint Cloud to Des Moines with ticket prices as low as $162.31.
Frequently asked questions about travelling by bus from Saint Cloud to Des Moines
There are 8 scheduled buses that travel from Saint Cloud to Des Moines every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.
Trips per day
8
Direct trips
0
The bus takes an average of 10 hours and 39 minutes to cover the 442 kilometres from Saint Cloud to Des Moines. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 hours and 10 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)
275
Distance (km)
442
The first bus leaves at 7:45 a.m. and the last bus leaves at 8:05 p.m. To see the times for all buses from Saint Cloud to Des Moines, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
7:45am
Latest bus
8:05pm
With many people travelling in the middle of the week, Wednesday is the busiest day of the week for bus travel. If you are planning to travel on a Wednesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to Des Moines, book your ticket for the last day of the week.
Most crowded
Wednesday
Least crowded
Sunday
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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Saint Cloud?
Main departure station: 510 1st St S
Buses to Des Moines leave from 5 stations in Saint Cloud.
All bus stations in Saint Cloud:
- 510 1st St S
- St. Cloud (SCSU - Atwood Center)
- Saint Cloud (St Cloud State Univ)
- 4325 Clearwater Rd
- 4801 Veterans Dr
Where does the bus arrive in Des Moines?
Main arrival station: Des Moines
All buses from Saint Cloud arrive at one main station in Des Moines.
All bus stations in Des Moines:
- Des Moines
Need a return trip from Des Moines to Saint Cloud?
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