Cheap bus tickets from Ames to Madison

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Bus from Ames to Madison: Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from Ames to Madison. Traveling by bus from Ames to Madison usually takes around 15 hours and 5 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 12 hours and 55 minutes.

Distance: 227 mi (365 km)
Shortest duration: 12h 55m
Cheapest price: $168.00
Trips per day: 2
Most frequent service: Jefferson Lines
Bus lines: 1

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Ames to Madison Bus Schedule

There are several bus options that can take you from Ames to Madison:

Jefferson Lines: 2 daily buses from $168

See more details

How much is a bus ticket from Ames to Madison?

Bus tickets for a trip from Ames to Madison cost about $168 when you book at the cheapest time, 18 days ahead. Bus 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 bus is often more affordable than flying to Madison. 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 Madison by travel date

If you're planning to travel by bus from Ames to Madison in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $170 to $173. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on November 8, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Madison this week, bus tickets are available starting at $170.

Average bus ticket prices from Ames to Madison by month

Traveling from Ames to Madison by bus will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, bus ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $169 whenever you decide to travel.

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. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 18 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $5 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Ames to Madison?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Ames to Madison. 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.

Bus	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Jefferson Lines	2	15h 5m	$169.40

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 Madison with ticket prices as low as $168.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Ames to Madison

There are usually only 2 buses per day from Ames to Madison. However, neither bus offers direct service, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to transfer buses during the trip.

Trips per day

Direct trips

The bus takes an average of 15 hours and 5 minutes to cover the 227 miles from Ames to Madison. However, the fastest bus only takes 12 hours and 55 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)

227

Distance (km)

365

The first bus leaves at 12:40 AM and the last bus leaves at 4:50 AM. To see the times for all buses from Ames to Madison, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

12:40am

Latest bus

4:50am

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Madison 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, 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.

Most crowded

Sunday

Least crowded

Monday

City Information

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 colorful 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 bus/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 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 Madison?

Main arrival station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

All buses from Ames arrive at one main station in Madison.

All bus stations in Madison:

University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

Need a return trip from Madison to Ames?

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