Cheap bus tickets from Des Moines to Minneapolis
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Bus from Des Moines to Minneapolis: Journey Information
There are 20 intercity buses per day from Des Moines to Minneapolis. Traveling by bus from Des Moines to Minneapolis usually takes around 9 hours and 49 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 29 minutes.
| Distance | 234 mi (377 km) |
| Shortest duration | 4h 29m |
| Cheapest price | $67.00 |
| Trips per day | 4 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 2 |
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Des Moines to Minneapolis Bus Schedule
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There are several bus options that can take you from Des Moines to Minneapolis:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Des Moines to Minneapolis?
Bus tickets for a trip from Des Moines to Minneapolis cost $70.50 on average. While it’s a bit pricey for a bus ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. 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 Minneapolis by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Des Moines to Minneapolis in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $71 to $79. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on August 31, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Minneapolis this week, bus tickets are available starting at $71.
Average bus ticket prices from Des Moines to Minneapolis by month
Traveling from Des Moines to Minneapolis 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 $76 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 25 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $108.50 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Des Moines to Minneapolis?
There are multiple buses that travel from Des Moines to Minneapolis, including Jefferson Lines, Tornado Bus. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular bus lines:
| BUS | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 19 | 9h 54m | $72.65 |
| Tornado Bus | 1 | 6h 55m | $130.00 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Minneapolis from $67. There are 19 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Minneapolis and you can expect on average to pay $72.65 for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Minneapolis. In Des Moines, Jefferson Lines departs to Minneapolis from Des Moines. In Minneapolis, Jefferson Lines arrives at 516 2nd Ave North and 3 other stations.
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Minneapolis takes 9 hours and 54 minutes, while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Minneapolis in 4 hours and 29 minutes.
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 16 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $67 for a weekend trip to Minneapolis.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Des Moines to Minneapolis
There are 20 scheduled buses that travel from Des Moines to Minneapolis every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 4 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.
TRIPS PER DAY
20
DIRECT TRIPS
4
The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 49 minutes to cover the 234 miles from Des Moines to Minneapolis. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 29 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.
DISTANCE (MI)
234
DISTANCE (KM)
377
The first bus leaves at 12:01am and the last bus leaves at 7:10pm. To see the times for all buses from Des Moines to Minneapolis, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
EARLIEST BUS
12:01am
LATEST BUS
7:10pm
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, 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.
MOST CROWDED
Wednesday
LEAST CROWDED
Monday
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.
Minneapolis
Situated along the bank of the Mississippi River in Minnesota, Minneapolis is one of the biggest and most exciting cities to visit in the Midwest. It is home to the Chain of Lakes, where you can swim, fish, boat and even bike or walk along the lakeside trails. It’s no wonder Minneapolis is among the top 10 cities in the U.S. for outdoor activities!
Although it's known as the City of Lakes, Minneapolis has a lot more to offer than gorgeous lakes, wetlands, and waterfalls. Shopaholics can spend days getting lost in the Mall of America, which boasts over 500 stores and an indoor theme park. If you're visiting Minneapolis on a romantic vacation, Minneapolis' bustling theater district offers excellent date nights from dozens of theater companies. Or, for a less musical and more brews-ical date option, head to one of 62 top-rated breweries in the #2 best city in America for craft beer.
Minneapolis can be visited in any season, but keep in mind that it becomes a frigid, snowy destination in the winter. January hovers around 0° Fahrenheit, but it's worth bundling up to enjoy the St. Paul Winter Carnival, or hockey and ice skating on any of the 13 lakes in the city. Have we mentioned how great the lakes are?
If you're visiting both of the Twin Cities, you can take public transport from downtown Minneapolis to Saint Paul in about 30 minutes. Public transit also connects downtown to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. Thanks to bus stations throughout Minneapolis, traveling by bus is the easiest way to arrive directly in the middle of the action and begin your adventure.
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 Minneapolis.
All bus stations in Des Moines:
- Des Moines
- Diversity Insurance Inc
Where does the bus arrive in Minneapolis?
Main arrival station: 516 2nd Ave North
Located in Central Minneapolis at 950 Hawthorne Ave, the Minneapolis Bus Station is a gateway to nearby cities throughout Minnesota and the Midwest. Greyhound and Jefferson Lines buses operate routes from this station to major cities such as Milwaukee or Chicago and beyond. From the Minneapolis Bus Station, it is a short 12-minute walk to Target Field Station where you can connect to light rail service throughout the city. Vending machines offer snacks or drinks within the station, or head one block south to Hennepin Ave for a variety of restaurant options for hungry travelers.
All bus stations in Minneapolis:
- 516 2nd Ave North
- University of Minnesota (Huron Blvd at 2428 Delaware St SE)
- Minneapolis-St Paul Airport
- 1 Veterans Drive
- Tienda La Mexicana (MN)
Need a return trip from Minneapolis to Des Moines?
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