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Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Des Moines to St Paul. Traveling by bus from Des Moines to St Paul usually takes around 5 hours and 38 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 50 minutes.
Distance | 233 mi (375 km) |
Shortest duration | 4h 50m |
Cheapest price | $103.00 |
Trips per day | 1 |
Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
Bus lines | 1 |
How much is a bus ticket from Des Moines to St Paul?
Bus tickets for a trip from Des Moines to St Paul cost $103.00 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 St Paul. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Monthly avg. prices
What bus companies travel from Des Moines to St Paul?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Des Moines to St Paul. Jefferson Lines 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 |
---|---|---|---|
Jefferson Lines | 2 | 5h 39m | $105.77 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Saint Paul from $103. There are 2 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to St Paul and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Saint Paul. In Des Moines, Jefferson Lines departs to Saint Paul from 1641 E. Euclid Ave. . In Saint Paul, Jefferson Lines arrives at Union Depot .
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Saint Paul takes 5 hours and 39 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Saint Paul in 4 hours and 50 minutes .
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Saint Paul.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 5 hours and 38 minutes to cover the 233 miles from Des Moines to St Paul. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 50 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.
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Des Moines to St Paul 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, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 12:00pm and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Des Moines to St Paul, 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.
St Paul
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota, and is one of the Twin Cities, along with its neighbor across the Mississippi River, Minneapolis. As the seat of Minnesota's government, Saint Paul offers historic and cultural attractions which represent both the state and the American Midwest as a whole.
For a comprehensive introduction to the region's history, start your trip at the Minnesota History Center, just down the street from the grounds of the State Capitol building. There are museums in Saint Paul for all types of interests, including the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Schubert Club Musical Instrument Museum. For an extra dash of Saint Paul history, take a stroll down Summit Avenue, a stylish street of drool-worthy Victorian houses and mansions, including the home of F. Scott Fitzgerald.
If you're brave enough to visit Saint Paul during the freezing winters, you'll be rewarded with the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, a yearly event where you can explore ice palaces, watch live ice sculpting, and compete in city-wide scavenger hunts. Saint Paul is also one of the country's best cities for craft beer, so save time to taste some local ales or even brew your own beer at Vine Park Brewing Co.
Saint Paul is a hub for travel in the Midwest thanks in part to Amtrak's Empire Builder train service which stops at Saint Paul Union Depot. Bus service from stations throughout town and nearby Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport make it easy to travel to and from this saintly city.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Des Moines?
Main departure station: 1641 E. Euclid Ave.
Most buses depart from the main station in Des Moines.
All bus stations in Des Moines:
1641 E. Euclid Ave.
Where does the bus arrive in St Paul?
Image credit: David Wilson
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Union Depot
Located right on the banks of the Mississippi River in Saint Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood, Union Depot has a remarkable history dating back to 1881. It remains the major transport hub of Saint Paul, as well as the designated station for Amtrak service in the Twin Cities. Besides the long-haul Empire Builder train, the station serves Jefferson Lines and Greyhound intercity buses and connects to local public transit. Within the Union Depot complex, you’ll find a coffee shop, restaurant, bike shop, rental car agency, and can even join a public tour to admire the architecture and learn about the station’s storied past.
All bus stations in St Paul:
Union Depot
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