Cheap bus tickets from Des Moines to Saint Cloud
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Bus from Des Moines to Saint Cloud: Journey Information
There are 15 intercity buses per day from Des Moines to Saint Cloud. Traveling by bus from Des Moines to Saint Cloud usually takes around 11 hours and 45 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 7 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 275 mi (442 km) |
| Shortest duration | 7h 15m |
| Cheapest price | $115.00 |
| Trips per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 1 |
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Des Moines to Saint Cloud Bus Schedule

There are several bus options that can take you from Des Moines to Saint Cloud:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Des Moines to Saint Cloud?
Bus tickets for a trip from Des Moines to Saint Cloud cost $134.45 on average. Bus tickets on this route can be a bit expensive due to the length of the trip. But even with a higher price tag, taking the bus is often more affordable than flying to Saint Cloud. 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 Saint Cloud by month
Taking the bus from Des Moines to Saint Cloud is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only $140. If you're planning to take the bus from Des Moines to Saint Cloud during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $150. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.
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. If you're looking for cheap bus tickets, booking in advance is the way to go.
What bus companies travel from Des Moines to Saint Cloud?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Des Moines to Saint Cloud. 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 | 15 | 11h 45m | $139.69 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Saint Cloud from $115. There are 15 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Saint Cloud and you can expect on average to pay $139.69 for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Saint Cloud. In Des Moines, Jefferson Lines departs to Saint Cloud from Des Moines. In Saint Cloud, Jefferson Lines arrives at 510 1st St S and 3 other stations.
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Saint Cloud takes 11 hours and 45 minutes, while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Saint Cloud in 7 hours and 15 minutes.
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 10 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $115 for a weekend trip to Saint Cloud.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Des Moines to Saint Cloud
There are 15 scheduled buses that travel from Des Moines to Saint Cloud every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.
Trips per day
15
Direct trips
0
The bus takes an average of 11 hours and 45 minutes to cover the 275 miles from Des Moines to Saint Cloud. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 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.
Distance (mi)
275
Distance (km)
442
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 Saint Cloud, 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, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to Saint Cloud, book your ticket for the last day of the week.
Most crowded
Wednesday
Least crowded
Sunday
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 Saint Cloud?
Main arrival station: 510 1st St S
Buses arrive in Saint Cloud at 4 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in Saint Cloud:
- 510 1st St S
- 4325 Clearwater Rd
- St. Cloud (SCSU - Atwood Center)
- 4801 Veterans Dr
Need a return trip from Saint Cloud to Des Moines?
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