Cheap coach tickets from Des Moines to Madison
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Coach from Des Moines to Madison: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity coaches per day from Des Moines to Madison. Travelling by coach from Des Moines to Madison usually takes around 15 hours and 27 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines coach can make the trip in 13 hours and 40 minutes.
- Distance
- 238 mi (383 km)
- Shortest duration
- 13h 40m
- Cheapest price
- £124.52
- Trips per day
- 2
- Most frequent service
- Jefferson Lines
- Coach lines
- 1
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Des Moines to Madison Coach Timetable

There are several coach options that can take you from Des Moines to Madison:
See more detailsHow much is a coach ticket from Des Moines to Madison?
Coach tickets for a trip from Des Moines to Madison cost about £125 when you book at the cheapest time, 2 days ahead. Coach 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 coach is often more affordable than flying to Madison. 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 Madison by travel date
If you're planning to travel by coach from Des Moines to Madison in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from £128 to £128. The cheapest coach tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on 5 November 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Madison this week, coach tickets are available starting at £128.
Average coach ticket prices from Des Moines to Madison by month
Travelling from Des Moines to Madison by coach will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, coach ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around £125 whenever you decide to travel.
Prices as travel date approaches
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. Booking in advance, even by a couple of days, is the best way to find cheaper coach tickets.
What coach companies travel from Des Moines to Madison?
There is one intercity coach company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Des Moines to Madison. Jefferson Lines is the one coach line that serves this route. Although it's the sole option, there are a couple of different scheduled times to choose from.
| Coach | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 2 | 15h 27m | £125.40 |
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 Madison with ticket prices as low as £124.52.
Frequently asked questions about travelling by coach from Des Moines to Madison
There are usually only 2 coaches per day from Des Moines to Madison. However, neither coach offers direct service, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to transfer coaches during the trip.
Trips per day
2
Direct trips
0
The coach takes an average of 15 hours and 27 minutes to cover the 238 miles from Des Moines to Madison. However, the fastest coach 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 coach 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 coach leaves at 0:01 and the last coach leaves at 4:05. To see the times for all coaches from Des Moines to Madison, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest coach
12:01am
Latest coach
4:05am
Thursday is usually the day of the week when coaches 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, Saturday is typically the least busy day for coach travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go.
Most crowded
Thursday
Least crowded
Saturday
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 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.
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 coach/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 coach leave from in Des Moines?
Main departure station: Des Moines
Most coaches depart from the main station in Des Moines.
All coach stations in Des Moines:
- Des Moines
Where does the coach arrive in Madison?
Main arrival station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
All coaches from Des Moines arrive at one main station in Madison.
Coach stations in Madison:
- University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Need a return trip from Madison to Des Moines?
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