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Cheap bus tickets from Des Moines to State College

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Des Moines to State College Bus Schedule

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Bus from Des Moines to State College: Journey Information

There are 4 intercity buses per day from Des Moines to State College. Traveling by bus from Des Moines to State College usually takes around 34 hours and 6 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 32 hours and 40 minutes.

Distance820 mi (1319 km)
Shortest duration32h 40m
Cheapest price$140.90
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines1

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What bus companies travel from Des Moines to State College?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Des Moines to State College. FlixBus US connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US41d 10h 7m$171.26
  • FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 4 trips per day from Des Moines to State College, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Des Moines to State College

The bus takes an average of 34 hours and 6 minutes to cover the 820 miles from Des Moines to State College. However, the fastest bus only takes 32 hours and 40 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.

The busiest and least busy days to travel on this route tend to change frequently from week to week. Weather, holidays, local events, and other factors can affect how crowded the bus is on any given day.

The first bus leaves at 9:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Des Moines to State College, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from Des Moines to State College 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.

City Information

Des Moines

Des Moines, IA, US - DSM-0

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.

State College

State College, PA - SCL-0

Image credit: emilee rader

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State College, PA - SCL-1

Image credit: Unsplash

State College, PA - SCL-2

Image credit: Unsplash

State College is a college town, hence the name. It is home to Penn State University, one of the largest universities in the United States. As expected, most of the businesses in the area are there to serve the academic clientele, particularly the professors and students living in the area (if you’re one of them, you might want to check out our recommended destinations for college students).

One of the most popular events in State College is the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, which draws over a hundred thousand visitors each year. Aside from Penn State University, the city's major attractions are The Arboretum and the Beaver Stadium.

If you're into culture, history, and the arts, you should check out the Palmer Museum of Art, Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania, and Centre County Historical Society.

While at State College, be sure to try out the waffles at The Original Waffle Shop. Other good places to dine are the Berkey Creamery, Allen Street Grill, and Federal Taphouse. Finally, for some good drinks, stop by Otto's Pub and Brewery.

Getting around State College is a breeze. The local airport, University Park Airport, is a mere 5 miles away from campus. In addition, Greyhound, Fullington Trailways, and Amtrak Thruway run regularly scheduled bus services from State College to Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, New York City, and beyond.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Des Moines?

Main departure station: Bus Station - 1501 2nd St

Most buses depart from the main station in Des Moines.

All bus stations in Des Moines:

  • Bus Station - 1501 2nd St

Where does the bus arrive in State College?

Main arrival station: State College (Airport - SCE)

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in State College.

All bus stations in State College:

  • State College (Airport - SCE)

  • 152 N Atherton St.

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