Cheap bus tickets from Ames to Madison
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Bus from Ames to Madison: Journey Information
There is one daily bus from Ames to Madison. Traveling by bus from Ames to Madison usually takes around 13 hours and 57 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 11 hours and 50 minutes.
Distance | 227 mi (365 km) |
Shortest duration | 11h 50m |
Cheapest price | €145.74 |
Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
Bus lines | 1 |

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 only company that has bus schedules available to search and book at the moment. It only makes the trip once a day on most days.
Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Jefferson Lines | 1 | 13h 57m | €145.74 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Ames to Madison from €146. Typically there is one Jefferson Lines schedule per day from Ames to Madison and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Madison. In Ames, Jefferson Lines departs to Madison from Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave . In Madison, Jefferson Lines arrives at University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center .
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Ames to Madison takes 13 hours and 57 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Madison in 11 hours and 50 minutes .
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Madison.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Ames to Madison
The bus takes an average of 13 hours and 57 minutes to cover the 227 miles from Ames to Madison. However, the fastest bus only takes 11 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.
Because many passengers travel from Ames to Madison at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, 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 bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.
There is usually only one bus per day from Ames to Madison. It leaves the station in Ames at 12:00am each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.
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 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
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