Cheap bus tickets from Des Moines to Clear Lake
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Bus from Des Moines to Clear Lake: Journey Information
There are 3 intercity buses per day from Des Moines to Clear Lake. Traveling by bus from Des Moines to Clear Lake usually takes around 2 hours and 4 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in just one hour and 45 minutes.
- Distance
- 107 mi (173 km)
- Shortest duration
- 1h 45m
- Cheapest price
- €41.13
- Trips per day
- 3
- Most frequent service
- Jefferson Lines
- Bus lines
- 1
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Des Moines to Clear Lake Bus Schedule

There are several bus options that can take you from Des Moines to Clear Lake:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Des Moines to Clear Lake?
Bus tickets for a trip from Des Moines to Clear Lake cost €47.54 on average. Tickets cheaper than €47.54 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 Des Moines to Clear Lake by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Des Moines to Clear Lake in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from €47 to €50. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on October 7, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Clear Lake this week, bus tickets are available starting at €47.
Average bus ticket prices from Des Moines to Clear Lake by month
Traveling from Des Moines to Clear Lake 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 €59 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 5 days in advance. This way, you can save up to €8.33 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Des Moines to Clear Lake?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Des Moines to Clear Lake. Jefferson Lines connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 3 | 2h 4m | €52.99 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Clear Lake from €41.13. There are 3 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Clear Lake and you can expect on average to pay €52.99 for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Clear Lake. In Des Moines, Jefferson Lines departs to Clear Lake from Des Moines. In Clear Lake, Jefferson Lines arrives at 3205 Willow Crk Ct and one other station.
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Clear Lake takes 2 hours and 4 minutes, while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Clear Lake in 1 hours and 45 minutes.
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 3 trips per day. A one way ticket costs €41.13 for a weekend trip to Clear Lake.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Des Moines to Clear Lake
There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Des Moines to Clear Lake every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Des Moines to Clear Lake without transferring.
Trips per day
3
Direct trips
3
The bus takes an average of 2 hours and 4 minutes to cover the 107 miles from Des Moines to Clear Lake. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 45 minutes. 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)
107
Distance (km)
173
The first bus leaves at 12:01am and the last bus leaves at 12:15pm. To see the times for all buses from Des Moines to Clear Lake, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
12:01am
Latest bus
12:15pm
With many people traveling in the middle of the week, Wednesday is the busiest day of the week for bus travel. If you are planning to travel on a Wednesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Friday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.
Most crowded
Wednesday
Least crowded
Friday
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 Clear Lake?
Main arrival station: 3205 Willow Crk Ct
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Clear Lake.
All bus stations in Clear Lake:
- 3205 Willow Crk Ct
- Mason City (Airport)
Need a return trip from Clear Lake to Des Moines?
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