Cheap bus tickets from Des Moines to Albert Lea
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Des Moines to Albert Lea Bus Schedule
Bus from Des Moines to Albert Lea: Journey Information
There are 3 intercity buses per day from Des Moines to Albert Lea. Traveling by bus from Des Moines to Albert Lea usually takes around 2 hours and 57 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
| Distance | 142 mi (228 km) |
| Shortest duration | 2h 30m |
| Cheapest price | $69.00 |
| Trips per day | 3 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 2 |

What bus companies travel from Des Moines to Albert Lea?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Des Moines to Albert Lea that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Jefferson Lines usually offers more choice, with 3 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 3 | 2h 47m | $74.69 |
| Tornado Bus | 1 | 4h 5m | $135.22 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Albert Lea from $69. There are 3 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Albert Lea and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Albert Lea. In Des Moines, Jefferson Lines departs to Albert Lea from Des Moines . In Albert Lea, Jefferson Lines arrives at Love's Truck Stop .
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Albert Lea takes 2 hours and 47 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Albert Lea in 2 hours and 30 minutes .
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Albert Lea.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Des Moines to Albert Lea
The bus takes an average of 2 hours and 57 minutes to cover the 142 miles from Des Moines to Albert Lea. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 30 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.
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, 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 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 12:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Des Moines to Albert Lea, 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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Des Moines?
Main departure station: Des Moines
Des Moines has two bus stations with service to Albert Lea.
All bus stations in Des Moines:
Des Moines
Diversity Insurance Inc
Where does the bus arrive in Albert Lea?
Main arrival station: Love's Truck Stop
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Albert Lea.
All bus stations in Albert Lea:
Love's Truck Stop
Talamantes Grocery/ Petro Gas Station
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Albert Lea to Des Moines?
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