Cheap bus tickets from Iowa City to Ames
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Iowa City to Ames Bus Schedule
Bus from Iowa City to Ames: Journey Information
There is one daily bus from Iowa City to Ames. Traveling by bus from Iowa City to Ames usually takes around 12 hours and 31 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 111 mi (179 km) |
| Shortest duration | 3h 10m |
| Cheapest price | $69.00 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 1 |

What bus companies travel from Iowa City to Ames?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Iowa City to Ames. 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 | 12h 31m | $129.00 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Iowa City to Ames from $69. Typically there is one Jefferson Lines schedule per day from Iowa City to Ames and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Ames. In Iowa City, Jefferson Lines departs to Ames from Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St . In Ames, Jefferson Lines arrives at Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave .
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Iowa City to Ames takes 12 hours and 31 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Ames in 3 hours and 10 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 Ames.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Iowa City to Ames
The bus takes an average of 12 hours and 31 minutes to cover the 111 miles from Iowa City to Ames. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 10 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.
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, 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.
There is usually only one bus per day from Iowa City to Ames. It leaves the station in Iowa City at 1:00am 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
Iowa City

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Pixabay
The old capital city of Iowa, Iowa City, is a historic area with plenty of quaint old buildings and beautiful landmarks. The most notable attraction is the Old Capitol Building in the middle of the University of Iowa's campus. The building's first floor is a museum dedicated to the state's history so that you can brush up on your Hawkeye State knowledge (we'll get you started: the Iowa state rock is the geode!). For more history and culture, hit up Plum Grove, the home of the first Governor of Iowa, and the University of Iowa Art Museum.
Thanks to its lively cultural scene, Iowa City's food scene is vibrant and diverse. One of the must-try establishments in the city is Short's Burger and Shine, which features a wide variety of burgers made from locally sourced meat. In addition, the Hamburg Inn No. 2 is an award-winning restaurant, with visitors including many past presidents.
Bus service to Iowa City arrives right downtown for easy access to Iowa City's highlights. Although there is a small municipal airport in Iowa City, most commercial flights will depart from nearby Cedar Rapids Airport or even from Des Moines, about 100 miles away.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Iowa City?
Main departure station: Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St
The Burlington Trailways Station in Iowa City is part of the Court St Transportation Center near downtown. Buses usually board outside the multi-story parking garage on Court Street. The station includes a large indoor waiting area with seating, restrooms, and even a charging station for your devices. You can walk to three hotels, a sushi restaurant, a Mexican restaurant, a Starbucks, and a bar in the immediate area, so you definitely won't have to travel hungry or thirsty. Greyhound and Burlington Trailways buses depart from this station and connect Iowa City to Des Moines, Chicago, Omaha, and more cities throughout the Midwest.
All bus stations in Iowa City:
Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St
Where does the bus arrive in Ames?
Main arrival station: Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave
All buses from Iowa City arrive at one main station in Ames.
All bus stations in Ames:
Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave
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Need a return trip from Ames to Iowa City?
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