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Cheap bus tickets from Ames to Minneapolis
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Bus from Ames to Minneapolis: Journey Information
There are 19 intercity buses per day from Ames to Minneapolis. Traveling by bus from Ames to Minneapolis usually takes around 9 hours and 32 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 50 minutes.
- Distance
- 204 mi (329 km)
- Shortest duration
- 3h 50m
- Cheapest price
- MX$713.01
- Trips per day
- 3
- Most frequent service
- Jefferson Lines
- Bus lines
- 2
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Ames to Minneapolis Bus Schedule
There are several bus options that can take you from Ames to Minneapolis:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Ames to Minneapolis?
Bus tickets for a trip from Ames to Minneapolis cost MX$976 on average. Tickets cheaper than MX$976 are an excellent bargain. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Average bus ticket prices from Ames to Minneapolis by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Ames to Minneapolis in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from MX$938 to MX$1,107. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on October 24, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Minneapolis this week, bus tickets are available starting at MX$938.
Average bus ticket prices from Ames to Minneapolis by month
Taking the bus from Ames to Minneapolis is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only MX$1,088. If you're planning to take the bus from Ames to Minneapolis during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of MX$1,257. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.
Prices as travel date approaches
Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. Booking in advance, even by a few days, is the best way to find cheap bus tickets.
What bus companies travel from Ames to Minneapolis?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Ames to Minneapolis that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Jefferson Lines usually offers more choice, with 19 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 19 | 9h 35m | MX$1,032.20 |
| Tornado Bus | 1 | 4h 45m | MX$3,095.95 |
Jefferson Lines is a well-established intercity bus company with service to some of the Midwest’s top travel destinations. As one of the United States’ largest bus 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, restrooms, and free WiFi. You can even check the status of your trip with their bus tracker tool. The carrier provides safe, affordable, and reliable service from Ames to Minneapolis with ticket prices as low as MX$713.01.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Ames to Minneapolis
There are 19 scheduled buses that travel from Ames to Minneapolis every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 3 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.
Trips per day
19
Direct trips
3
The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 32 minutes to cover the 204 miles from Ames to Minneapolis. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 50 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. 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.
Distance (mi)
204
Distance (km)
329
The first bus leaves at 12:40 AM and the last bus leaves at 10:45 PM. To see the times for all buses from Ames to Minneapolis, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
12:40am
Latest bus
10:45pm
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, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to Minneapolis, book your ticket for the last day of the week.
Most crowded
Thursday
Least crowded
Sunday
City Information
Minneapolis
Situated along the bank of the Mississippi River in Minnesota, Minneapolis is one of the biggest and most exciting cities to visit in the Midwest. It is home to the Chain of Lakes, where you can swim, fish, boat and even bike or walk along the lakeside trails. It’s no wonder Minneapolis is among the top 10 cities in the U.S. for outdoor activities!
Although it's known as the City of Lakes, Minneapolis has a lot more to offer than gorgeous lakes, wetlands, and waterfalls. Shopaholics can spend days getting lost in the Mall of America, which boasts over 500 stores and an indoor theme park. If you're visiting Minneapolis on a romantic vacation, Minneapolis' bustling theater district offers excellent date nights from dozens of theater companies. Or, for a less musical and more brews-ical date option, head to one of 62 top-rated breweries in the #2 best city in America for craft beer.
Minneapolis can be visited in any season, but keep in mind that it becomes a frigid, snowy destination in the winter. January hovers around 0° Fahrenheit, but it's worth bundling up to enjoy the St. Paul Winter Carnival, or hockey and ice skating on any of the 13 lakes in the city. Have we mentioned how great the lakes are?
If you're visiting both of the Twin Cities, you can take public transport from downtown Minneapolis to Saint Paul in about 30 minutes. Public transit also connects downtown to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. Thanks to bus stations throughout Minneapolis, traveling by bus is the easiest way to arrive directly in the middle of the action and begin your adventure.
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 Minneapolis.
All bus stations in Ames:
- Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave
- Phillips 66 Gas Station
Where does the bus arrive in Minneapolis?
Main arrival station: U of MN - Huron Blvd
Buses arrive in Minneapolis at 5 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in Minneapolis:
- U of MN - Huron Blvd
- Minneapolis-St Paul Airport
- 516 2nd Ave North
- 1 Veterans Drive
- Tienda La Mexicana (MN)
Need a return trip from Minneapolis to Ames?
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