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Cheap bus tickets from Ames to Des Moines

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Ames to Des Moines Bus Schedule

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Bus from Ames to Des Moines: Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from Ames to Des Moines. Traveling by bus from Ames to Des Moines usually takes around 47 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 45 minutes.

Distance30 mi (48 km)
Shortest duration0h 45m
Cheapest price€19.14
Trips per day2
Most frequent serviceJefferson Lines
Bus lines1

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Price trends for buses from Ames to Des Moines

Monthly avg. prices

€24€19€14€10€5FMAMJJASONDJ

What bus companies travel from Ames to Des Moines?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Ames to Des Moines. Jefferson Lines is the one bus line that serves this route. Although it's the sole option, there are a couple of different scheduled times to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Jefferson Lines20h 48m€19.60
  • Book Jefferson Lines from Ames to Des Moines from €19. There are 2 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Ames to Des Moines and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Des Moines. In Ames, Jefferson Lines departs to Des Moines from Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave . In Des Moines, Jefferson Lines arrives at Des Moines .

    An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Ames to Des Moines takes 0 hours and 48 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Des Moines in 0 hours and 45 minutes .

    On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Des Moines.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Ames to Des Moines

The bus takes an average of 47 minutes to cover the 30 miles from Ames to Des Moines. However, the fastest bus only takes 45 minutes. It's a short trip that goes by very quickly. 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.

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Des Moines at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.

The first bus leaves at 5:00pm and the last bus leaves at 10:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Ames to Des Moines, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are usually only 2 buses per day from Ames to Des Moines. Both of these are direct buses, meaning that you do not have to worry about transferring buses at any point during your trip.

City Information

Des Moines

Des Moines, IA, US - DSM-0

Image credit: Unsplash

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 Ames?

Main departure station: Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave

Most buses depart from the main station in Ames.

All bus stations in Ames:

  • Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave

Where does the bus arrive in Des Moines?

Main arrival station: Des Moines

All buses from Ames arrive at one main station in Des Moines.

All bus stations in Des Moines:

  • Des Moines

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