Cheap bus tickets from Des Moines to Minneapolis

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Bus from Des Moines to Minneapolis: Journey Information

There are 19 intercity buses per day from Des Moines to Minneapolis. Traveling by bus from Des Moines to Minneapolis usually takes around 9 hours and 53 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
£36.64
Trips per day
4
Most frequent service
Jefferson Lines
Bus lines
2

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Des Moines to Minneapolis Bus Schedule

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Des Moines to Minneapolis (Based on 2 ratings and reviews)

4.5

4.0

Daria

December 27, 2024 - Visiting family

Jefferson Lines
Pros: The stops were quick and efficient Cons: Easy access to an itinerary of the stops made along the way.

5.0

Cisiley

August 5, 2024 - Vacation

Jefferson Lines
Pros: It was Peaceful and quiet most of the way! Cons: Maybe stopping to get a bite to eat at a food court that offer a variety of options. Tips: Everybody travel for different reasons therefore I think some passengers should be more considerate and try to refrain from talking loud and playing their devices loudly because some people like to rest or meditate during their trip without many distractions .
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How much is a bus ticket from Des Moines to Minneapolis?

Bus tickets for a trip from Des Moines to Minneapolis cost £42 on average. Tickets cheaper than £42 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 Minneapolis by travel date

£60£40£20OctNov

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 £49 to £54. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on October 25, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Minneapolis this week, bus tickets are available starting at £49.

Average bus ticket prices from Des Moines to Minneapolis by month

£75£60£45£30£15JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from Des Moines to Minneapolis is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only £52. If you're planning to take the bus from Des Moines to Minneapolis during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £61. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

£75£60£45£30£15020

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. Booking in advance is the best way to find cheap bus tickets, even if it’s only by a few days.

What bus companies travel from Des Moines to Minneapolis?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Des Moines to Minneapolis that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Jefferson Lines usually offers more choice, with 19 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Jefferson Lines199h 56m£49.89
Tornado Bus16h 55m£97.20
  • Jefferson Lines is a well-established intercity bus company with service to some of the Midwest’s top travel destinations. As one of the United States’ largest bus service providers, Jefferson Lines is beloved by students, commuters, and vacationers in America’s heartland. Travel with Jefferson Lines is comfortable thanks to reclining seats, individual climate controls, restrooms, and free WiFi. You can even check the status of your trip with their bus tracker tool. The carrier provides safe, affordable, and reliable service from Des Moines to Minneapolis with ticket prices as low as £36.64.

  • Tornado Bus is a Texan bus company operating in Texas and Mexico. Their bus service connects cities such as Houston, McAllen, San Antonio, and the international border at El Paso. Their buses offer onboard WiFi, plenty of leg room, air conditioning, restrooms, and power outlets.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Des Moines to Minneapolis

There are 19 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

19

Direct trips

4

The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 53 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 12:01 AM and the last bus leaves at 7:10 PM. 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

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Des Moines to Minneapolis for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, 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

Friday

Least crowded

Monday

City Information

Des Moines

Des Moines, IA, US - DSM-0

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 Prairie 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

Minneapolis, MN - MSP-0Minneapolis, MN - MSP-1Minneapolis, MN - MSP-2

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: U of MN - Huron Blvd

Buses arrive in Minneapolis at 5 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in Minneapolis:

  • U of MN - Huron Blvd
  • 516 2nd Ave North
  • Minneapolis-St Paul Airport
  • 1 Veterans Drive
  • Tienda La Mexicana (MN)

Need a return trip from Minneapolis to Des Moines?

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