Cheap bus tickets from Ames to Des Moines
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Ames to Des Moines Bus Schedule
Bus from Ames to Des Moines: Journey Information
There are 3 intercity buses per day from Ames to Des Moines. Traveling by bus from Ames to Des Moines usually takes around 46 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 40 minutes.
| Distance | 30 mi (48 km) |
| Shortest duration | 0h 40m |
| Cheapest price | SEK 190.94 |
| Trips per day | 3 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 2 |

How much is a bus ticket from Ames to Des Moines?
Bus tickets for a trip from Ames to Des Moines cost SEK 190.94 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Monthly avg. prices
What bus companies travel from Ames to Des Moines?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Ames to Des Moines that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Jefferson Lines usually offers more choice, with 3 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 3 | 0h 44m | SEK 190.94 |
| Tornado Bus | 1 | 1h 40m | SEK 1,129.69 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Ames to Des Moines from SEK 191. There are 3 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 44 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Des Moines in 0 hours and 40 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 46 minutes to cover the 30 miles from Ames to Des Moines. However, the fastest bus only takes 40 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.
Thursday is usually the day of the week when buses 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, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.
The first bus leaves at 2:00am 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.
City Information
Des Moines

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
Ames has two bus stations with service to Des Moines.
All bus stations in Ames:
Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave
Phillips 66 Gas Station
Where does the bus arrive in Des Moines?
Main arrival station: Des Moines
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Des Moines.
All bus stations in Des Moines:
Des Moines
Diversity Insurance Inc
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