Cheap bus tickets from Des Moines to St Louis
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Des Moines to St Louis Bus Schedule
Bus from Des Moines to St Louis: Journey Information
There is one daily bus from Des Moines to St Louis. Traveling by bus from Des Moines to St Louis usually takes around 8 hours, but some buses might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled depending on traffic conditions.
| Distance | 273 mi (440 km) |
| Shortest duration | 8h 0m |
| Cheapest price | €101.68 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 1 |

Price trends for buses from Des Moines to St Louis
Monthly avg. prices
What bus companies travel from Des Moines to St Louis?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Des Moines to St Louis. Jefferson Lines is the only company that has bus schedules available to search and book at the moment. It only makes the trip once a day on most days.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 1 | 8h 0m | €101.68 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to St Louis from €102. Typically there is one Jefferson Lines schedule per day from Des Moines to St Louis and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to St Louis. In Des Moines, Jefferson Lines departs to St Louis from Des Moines . In St Louis, Jefferson Lines arrives at Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St .
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to St Louis takes 8 hours and 0 minutes .
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to St Louis.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Des Moines to St Louis
The bus takes an average of 8 hours to cover the 273 miles from Des Moines to St Louis. 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.
Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, 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.
There is usually only one bus per day from Des Moines to St Louis. It leaves the station in Des Moines at 10:00am each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.
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 Louis

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash
St. Louis is one of several major cities in the state of Missouri and it is uniquely located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The city is usually recognized by its most distinctive feature, the Gateway Arch, thanks to which it is the only city in the United States that has a national park in the heart of its downtown district. The Arch is a must-see attraction and you can even take a tram to the top for some incredible views of the St. Louis skyline.
Some of the other truly unique attractions you can visit while you’re in town include the Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis where you can check out an incredible collection of dolls, dollhouses and vignettes, and the City Museum where you can ride down a 10-story spiral slide (yup, you read that right.) For a great outdoor experience, stop by the gorgeous Missouri Botanical Garden, and then take a stroll through Citygarden where you will find various quirky statues and installations worthy of being featured in your Instagram feed.
Ale enthusiasts would be excited to know that St. Louis is one of the best craft beer cities in the U.S. as well as one of the cheapest drinking cities. That means your party budget could take you a long way. Unsurprisingly, the city is also among the best spring break destinations on a budget.
The main bus and train station in St. Louis, Gateway Station, is located right in the center of downtown, not far from the Gateway Arch, which makes coming in and out of the city a breeze.
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 St Louis?
Main arrival station: Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
All buses from Des Moines arrive at one main station in St Louis.
All bus stations in St Louis:
Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
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