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Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Des Moines to Normal. Traveling by bus from Des Moines to Normal usually takes around 10 hours and 33 minutes, but the fastest Burlington Trailways bus can make the trip in 6 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 252 mi (406 km) |
| Shortest duration | 6h 15m |
| Cheapest price | $80.00 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Burlington Trailways |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Des Moines to Normal?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Des Moines to Normal. Burlington Trailways 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington Trailways | 2 | 10h 34m | $135.75 |
Book Burlington Trailways from Des Moines to Normal from $80. There are 2 trips per day offered by Burlington Trailways from Des Moines to Normal and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to Normal. In Des Moines, Burlington Trailways departs to Normal from Des Moines . In Normal, Burlington Trailways arrives at Bloomington .
An average trip on Burlington Trailways from Des Moines to Normal takes 10 hours and 34 minutes , while the fastest available Burlington Trailways trip will get you to Normal in 6 hours and 15 minutes .
On weekends, Burlington Trailways offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Normal.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 10 hours and 33 minutes to cover the 252 miles from Des Moines to Normal. However, the fastest bus only takes 6 hours and 15 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.
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, Saturday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 8:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Des Moines to Normal, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
City Information
Des Moines
Image credit: Unsplash
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.
Normal
Normal is a town in North Bloomington, adjacent to Bloomington. The town got its unique name in 1865 from the Illinois State Normal University, a normal school that is a teacher-training institution. Normal features the Children's Discovery Museum, Illinois State University Planetarium and Carden Park for children, and the David Davis Mansion and McLean County Museum of History for history buffs. If you're interested in exploring the outdoors, you can take a walk on the Hidden Creek Nature Sanctuary or Constitution Trail or play on the Ironwood Golf Course. Sports lovers can also check out the Redbird Arena, where basketball games are held.
Normal features a vibrant entertainment scene with different breweries and beer halls. You can participate in the Illinois Shakespeare Festival or watch shows at the Normal Theater. Normal also has a vineyard and wine bars, with most activities available in Uptown Normal, the micro-urban city center. The Uptown area has different entertainment venues, dining, and retail establishments.
You can visit Normal, Illinois, by train or bus. The city is accessible from many other cities by train, including Amtrak, Amtrak Texas Eagle, and Amtrak Lincoln Service. As for the bus lines, you can access the city from over 80 other cities onboard buses from Jefferson Lines, Amtrak Thruway, and Burlington Trailways.
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 Normal?
Main arrival station: Bloomington
All buses from Des Moines arrive at one main station in Normal.
All bus stations in Normal:
Bloomington
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