Cheap coach tickets from Des Moines to Chicago

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

Coach from Des Moines to Chicago: Journey Information

There are 4 intercity coaches per day from Des Moines to Chicago. Travelling by coach from Des Moines to Chicago usually takes around 16 hours and 30 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines coach can make the trip in 6 hours.

Distance
309 mi (497 km)
Shortest duration
6h
Cheapest price
US$68.00
Trips per day
4
Most frequent service
Jefferson Lines
Coach lines
2

Millions of travellers trust Wanderu every year to get:

Lowest Prices

We find the cheapest coach & train tickets, so you can wander for less.

Best Travel Options

We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most coach & train options.

Quick & Easy Booking

Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.

Fast Customer Support

We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.

See what travellers are saying about Wanderu:

Download our free app!

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Des Moines to Chicago Coach Timetable

Wanderu mascot

Wander into savings:
Get deals in your inbox!

Sign up to get the latest deals on coach & train tickets sent directly to you.

Coach Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for coaches from Des Moines to Chicago (Based on 6 ratings and reviews)

4.8

4.0

Dinah

13 July 2025 - Visiting family

Burlington Trailways
Pros: The bus driver was very helpful Cons: More leg space Tips: None

5.0

Angela

18 May 2022 - Solo travel

Burlington Trailways
Pros: The Driver Cons: Bathroom smell of urine

5.0

Carl

19 July 2021 - Visiting family

Burlington Trailways
Pros: The bud driver (Dan) was friendly and helpful.
See more details

How much is a coach ticket from Des Moines to Chicago?

Coach tickets for a trip from Des Moines to Chicago cost about US$68 when you book at the cheapest time, 24 days ahead. While it’s a bit pricey for a coach ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find coach tickets at or below this price.

Average coach ticket prices from Des Moines to Chicago by travel date

US$285US$190US$95NovNov

If you're planning to travel by coach from Des Moines to Chicago in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from US$108 to US$275. The cheapest coach tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on 19 November 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Chicago this week, coach tickets are available starting at US$111.

Average coach ticket prices from Des Moines to Chicago by month

US$175US$140US$105US$70US$35JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the coach from Des Moines to Chicago is usually cheapest in July, when the average ticket price is only US$105. If you're planning to take the coach from Des Moines to Chicago during December, keep in mind that coach ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of US$157. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

US$150US$120US$90US$60US$3001020

Most coach companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your coach tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest coach tickets, book your trip at least 24 days in advance. This way, you can save up to US$71 on your coach ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What coach companies travel from Des Moines to Chicago?

There are two coach lines that have daily service from Des Moines to Chicago that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Jefferson Lines usually offers more choice, with 3 scheduled trips per day.

CoachDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Jefferson Lines311h 11mUS$74.98
Tornado Bus143h 26mUS$265.06
  • Jefferson Lines is a well-established intercity coach company with service to some of the Midwest’s top travel destinations. As one of the United States’ largest coach 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, toilets, and free WiFi. You can even check the status of your trip with their coach tracker tool. The carrier provides safe, affordable, and reliable service from Des Moines to Chicago with ticket prices as low as US$68.

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

Frequently asked questions about travelling by coach from Des Moines to Chicago

There are 4 scheduled coaches that travel from Des Moines to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 2 direct coaches, where you can stay on the same coach without having to transfer to a connecting coach at any point during your trip.

Trips per day

4

Direct trips

2

The coach takes an average of 16 hours and 30 minutes to cover the 309 miles from Des Moines to Chicago. However, the fastest coach only takes 6 hours. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual coach may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

Distance (mi)

309

Distance (km)

497

The first coach leaves at 4:05 and the last coach leaves at 23:45. To see the times for all coaches from Des Moines to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest coach

4:05am

Latest coach

11:45pm

Tuesday is usually the day of the week when coaches are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for coach travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.

Most crowded

Tuesday

Least crowded

Thursday

City Information

Des Moines

Des Moines, IA, US - DSM-0

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 coach. Over a hundred neighbouring cities offer coach 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 coach routes throughout the city.

Chicago

CHI-0CHI-1CHI-2

Known for its innovative architecture, cultural contributions to jazz and house music, and of course that irresistible deep-dish pizza, the many sights and experiences in Chicago make it one of the best urban holiday destinations for millennials and a top destination in Illinois.

You can't beat the views of the city and Lake Michigan from the SkyDeck in the Willis Tower; at over 1,300 feet, this is the highest observation deck in the U.S. Snap that classic selfie with the Bean in Millennium Park, then wander the many museums in nearby Grant Park. Navy Pier is a popular tourist hotspot for its parks, restaurants, and attractions right on Lake Michigan, and baseball fans will find paradise in Wrigleyville, home to the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field and sports bars galore.

Chicago's enormous parks offer plentiful opportunities for outdoor activities in gorgeous urban settings. Many companies offer kayak rentals or boat tours on the Chicago River, with special tours running on Saint Patrick's Day, when the entire river is dyed green. When you’re ready to buy some souvenirs from your epic trip, hit the big brand stores on the Magnificent Mile, or shop local in neighbourhoods like Andersonville and Wicker Park. And don't miss the chance to laugh until you cry at The Second City comedy theatre, famous for launching the careers of comedians like Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert.

Chicago is one of the biggest transport hubs in the Midwest, and provides easy access to nearby destinations ideal for day trips, as well as international travel from two airports. Thanks to plenty of coach and train stations throughout the city, getting to the Windy City is a breeze.

Station Information

Where does the coach leave from in Des Moines?

Main departure station: Des Moines

Des Moines has two coach stations with service to Chicago.

All coach stations in Des Moines:

  • Des Moines
  • Diversity Insurance Inc

Where does the coach arrive in Chicago?

Main arrival station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

Chicago Greyhound Bus Station - CHIGLI3-0

These are the two stations where coaches may stop when they arrive in Chicago.

Coach stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
  • 3501 S California Ave

Need a return trip from Chicago to Des Moines?

Search Coach Tickets

Plan your next adventure

Wanderu is the simplest way to book coach and train travel.

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare coach and train timetables and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap coach and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading coach and train companies, we always have the best coach and train deals out there.