Cheap bus tickets from Iowa City to Des Moines
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Bus from Iowa City to Des Moines: Journey Information
There are 3 intercity buses per day from Iowa City to Des Moines. Traveling by bus from Iowa City to Des Moines usually takes around 2 hours and 13 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in just one hour and 40 minutes.
| Distance | 107 mi (173 km) |
| Shortest duration | 1h 40m |
| Cheapest price | $17.00 |
| Trips per day | 3 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 1 |
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4.8 Rating
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4.5 Rating
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Iowa City to Des Moines Bus Schedule
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from Iowa City to Des Moines (Based on 4 ratings and reviews)
5.0
November 23, 2022 - Solo travel
Burlington Trailways4.0
April 13, 2022 - Visiting family
Burlington Trailways5.0
November 29, 2021 - Solo travel
Burlington Trailways4.0
September 6, 2019 - Visiting family
Burlington TrailwaysThere are several bus options that can take you from Iowa City to Des Moines:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Iowa City to Des Moines?
Bus tickets for a trip from Iowa City to Des Moines cost $17.00 on average. This is an excellent value for the trip. 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 Iowa City to Des Moines by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Iowa City to Des Moines in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $28 to $28. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on August 26, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Des Moines this week, bus tickets are available starting at $28.
Average bus ticket prices from Iowa City to Des Moines by month
Taking the bus from Iowa City to Des Moines is usually cheapest in March, when the average ticket price is only $33. If you're planning to take the bus from Iowa City to Des Moines during October, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $44. 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. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 8 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $16.00 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Iowa City to Des Moines?
There are multiple buses that travel from Iowa City to Des Moines, including Jefferson Lines. Here is what you should know about the 1 most popular bus lines:
| BUS | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 3 | 2h 13m | $26.73 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Iowa City to Des Moines from $17. There are 3 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Iowa City to Des Moines and you can expect on average to pay $26.73 for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Des Moines. In Iowa City, Jefferson Lines departs to Des Moines from Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St. In Des Moines, Jefferson Lines arrives at Des Moines.
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Iowa City to Des Moines takes 2 hours and 13 minutes, while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Des Moines in 1 hours and 40 minutes.
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 3 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $17 for a weekend trip to Des Moines.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Iowa City to Des Moines
Bus tickets for a trip from Iowa City to Des Moines cost $17.00 on average. This is an excellent value for the trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Iowa City to Des Moines every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Iowa City to Des Moines without transferring.
TRIPS PER DAY
3
DIRECT TRIPS
3
The bus takes an average of 2 hours and 13 minutes to cover the 107 miles from Iowa City to Des Moines. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 40 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. 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)
107
DISTANCE (KM)
173
The first bus leaves at 1:35am and the last bus leaves at 7:15pm. To see the times for all buses from Iowa City to Des Moines, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
EARLIEST BUS
1:35am
LATEST BUS
7:15pm
Because many passengers travel from Iowa City to Des Moines at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, 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.
City Information
Iowa City
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.
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 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 Des Moines?
Main arrival station: Des Moines
All buses from Iowa City arrive at one main station in Des Moines.
All bus stations in Des Moines:
- Des Moines
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