Cheap bus tickets from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids
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Bus from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids. Traveling by bus from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids usually takes around 2 hours and 20 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 2 hours,
| Distance | 103 mi (166 km) |
| Shortest duration | 2h |
| Cheapest price | $21.00 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 1 |
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Des Moines to Cedar Rapids Bus Schedule
There are several bus options that can take you from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids?
Bus tickets for a trip from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids cost $32.50 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.
Average bus ticket prices from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $33 to $33. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on August 17, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Cedar Rapids this week, bus tickets are available starting at $33.
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 save money on bus tickets and ensure availability, it's always best to book in advance.
What bus companies travel from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids?
There are multiple buses that travel from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids, including Jefferson Lines. Here is what you should know about the 1 most popular bus lines:
| BUS | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 2 | 2h 20m | $32.50 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids from $21. There are 2 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids and you can expect on average to pay $32.50 for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Cedar Rapids. In Des Moines, Jefferson Lines departs to Cedar Rapids from Des Moines. In Cedar Rapids, Jefferson Lines arrives at Cedar Rpds (Airport - CID).
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids takes 2 hours and 20 minutes, while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Cedar Rapids in 2 hours and 0 minutes.
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $21 for a weekend trip to Cedar Rapids.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids
Bus tickets for a trip from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids cost $32.50 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.
There are usually only 2 buses per day from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids. Both of these are direct buses, meaning that you do not have to worry about transferring buses at any point during your trip.
TRIPS PER DAY
2
DIRECT TRIPS
2
The bus takes an average of 2 hours and 20 minutes to cover the 103 miles from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. 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)
103
DISTANCE (KM)
166
The first bus leaves at 8:30am and the last bus leaves at 1:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
EARLIEST BUS
8:30am
LATEST BUS
1:00pm
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.
City Information
Des Moines
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 Des Moines?
Main departure station: Des Moines
Most buses depart from the main station in Des Moines.
All bus stations in Des Moines:
- Des Moines
Where does the bus arrive in Cedar Rapids?
Main arrival station: Cedar Rpds (Airport - CID)
All buses from Des Moines arrive at one main station in Cedar Rapids.
All bus stations in Cedar Rapids:
- Cedar Rpds (Airport - CID)
Need a return trip from Cedar Rapids to Des Moines?
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