Cheap coach tickets from St Louis to Des Moines
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Coach from St Louis to Des Moines: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity coaches per day from St Louis to Des Moines. Travelling by coach from St Louis to Des Moines usually takes around 13 hours and 22 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US coach can make the trip in 11 hours and 45 minutes.
- Distance
- 273 mi (440 km)
- Shortest duration
- 11h 45m
- Cheapest price
- US$81.47
- Trips per day
- 2
- Most frequent service
- FlixBus US
- Coach lines
- 1
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:
St Louis to Des Moines Coach Timetable

Coach Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for coaches from St Louis to Des Moines (Based on 1 rating and review)
4.0
30 December 2022 - Solo travel
Burlington TrailwaysThere are several coach options that can take you from St Louis to Des Moines:
See more detailsHow much is a coach ticket from St Louis to Des Moines?
Coach tickets for a trip from St Louis to Des Moines cost about US$94 when you book at the cheapest time, 9 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 St Louis to Des Moines by travel date
If you're planning to travel by coach from St Louis to Des Moines in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from US$88 to US$112. The cheapest coach tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on 12 November 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Des Moines this week, coach tickets are available starting at US$88.
Average coach ticket prices from St Louis to Des Moines by month
Taking the coach from St Louis to Des Moines is usually cheapest in August, when the average ticket price is only US$107. If you're planning to take the coach from St Louis to Des Moines during February, keep in mind that coach ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of US$164. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.
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. To find the cheapest coach tickets, book your trip at least 9 days in advance. This way, you can save up to US$44.20 on your coach ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What coach companies travel from St Louis to Des Moines?
There is one intercity coach company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from St Louis to Des Moines. FlixBus US 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 2 | 13h 22m | US$107.49 |
FlixBus US is the American branch of German coach company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern coach travel. The company offers cheap coach tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US coaches include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power sockets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 2 trips per day from St Louis to Des Moines, and the average ticket for this route costs only US$107.49.






Frequently asked questions about travelling by coach from St Louis to Des Moines
There are usually only 2 coaches per day from St Louis to Des Moines. 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 13 hours and 22 minutes to cover the 273 miles from St Louis to Des Moines. However, the fastest coach only takes 11 hours and 45 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)
273
Distance (km)
440
The first coach leaves at 10:00 and the last coach leaves at 23:30. To see the times for all coaches from St Louis to Des Moines, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest coach
10:00am
Latest coach
11:30pm
Saturday is usually the day when coaches are busiest, as many travellers take the coach to enjoy the weekend in Des Moines. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for coach travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.
Most crowded
Saturday
Least crowded
Tuesday
City Information
St Louis



St. Louis is one of several major cities in the state of Missouri and it is uniquely located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The city is usually recognized by its most distinctive feature, the Gateway Arch, thanks to which it is the only city in the United States that has a national park in the heart of its downtown district. The Arch is a must-see attraction and you can even take a tram to the top for some incredible views of the St. Louis skyline.
Some of the other truly unique attractions you can visit while you’re in town include the Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis where you can check out an incredible collection of dolls, dollhouses and vignettes, and the City Museum where you can ride down a 10-story spiral slide (yup, you read that right.) For a great outdoor experience, stop by the gorgeous Missouri Botanical Garden, and then take a stroll through Citygarden where you will find various quirky statues and installations worthy of being featured in your Instagram feed.
Ale enthusiasts would be excited to know that St. Louis is one of the best craft beer cities in the U.S. as well as one of the cheapest drinking cities. That means your party budget could take you a long way. Unsurprisingly, the city is also among the best spring break destinations on a budget.
The main coach and train station in St. Louis, Gateway Station, is located right in the centre of downtown, not far from the Gateway Arch, which makes coming in and out of the city a breeze.
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.
Station Information
Where does the coach leave from in St Louis?
Main departure station: Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
Most coaches depart from the main station in St Louis.
All coach stations in St Louis:
- Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
Where does the coach arrive in Des Moines?
Main arrival station: Des Moines
All coaches from St Louis arrive at one main station in Des Moines.
Coach stations in Des Moines:
- Des Moines
Plan your next adventure
More coaches from St Louis
Continue by coach from Des Moines
Check out these popular routes

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.




