Cheap bus tickets from Iowa City to Minneapolis

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Bus from Iowa City to Minneapolis: Journey Information

There are 14 intercity buses per day from Iowa City to Minneapolis. Traveling by bus from Iowa City to Minneapolis usually takes around 12 hours and 22 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 6 hours,

Distance
245 mi (395 km)
Shortest duration
6h
Cheapest price
$115.00
Trips per day
0
Most frequent service
Jefferson Lines
Bus lines
1

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Iowa City to Minneapolis Bus Schedule

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How much is a bus ticket from Iowa City to Minneapolis?

Bus tickets for a trip from Iowa City to Minneapolis cost $138.00 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 Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis by travel date

$165$110$55AugAug

If you're planning to travel by bus from Iowa City to Minneapolis in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $149 to $163. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on August 27, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Minneapolis this week, bus tickets are available starting at $149.

Average bus ticket prices from Iowa City to Minneapolis by month

$200$160$120$80$40JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from Iowa City to Minneapolis is usually cheapest in August, when the average ticket price is only $149. If you're planning to take the bus from Iowa City to Minneapolis during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $178. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$175$140$105$70$350

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 9 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $12.58 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Iowa City to Minneapolis?

There are multiple buses that travel from Iowa City to Minneapolis, including Jefferson Lines. Here is what you should know about the 1 most popular bus lines:

BUSDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Jefferson Lines1412h 22m$148.94
  • Book Jefferson Lines from Iowa City to Minneapolis from $115. There are 14 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Iowa City to Minneapolis and you can expect on average to pay $148.94 for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Minneapolis. In Iowa City, Jefferson Lines departs to Minneapolis from Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St. In Minneapolis, Jefferson Lines arrives at 516 2nd Ave North and 3 other stations.

    An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Iowa City to Minneapolis takes 12 hours and 22 minutes, while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Minneapolis in 6 hours and 0 minutes.

    On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 13 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $115 for a weekend trip to Minneapolis.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Iowa City to Minneapolis

There are 14 scheduled buses that travel from Iowa City to Minneapolis 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.

TRIPS PER DAY

14

DIRECT TRIPS

0

The bus takes an average of 12 hours and 22 minutes to cover the 245 miles from Iowa City to Minneapolis. However, the fastest bus only takes 6 hours. 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.

DISTANCE (MI)

245

DISTANCE (KM)

395

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 Minneapolis, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

EARLIEST BUS

1:35am

LATEST BUS

7:15pm

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Iowa City to Minneapolis 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, 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.

MOST CROWDED

Friday

LEAST CROWDED

Monday

City Information

Iowa City

Iowa City, IA - IOW-0Iowa City, IA - IOW-1Iowa City, IA - IOW-2

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.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis, MN - MSP-0Minneapolis, MN - MSP-1Minneapolis, MN - MSP-2

Situated along the bank of the Mississippi River in Minnesota, Minneapolis is one of the biggest and most exciting cities to visit in the Midwest. It is home to the Chain of Lakes, where you can swim, fish, boat and even bike or walk along the lakeside trails. It’s no wonder Minneapolis is among the top 10 cities in the U.S. for outdoor activities!

Although it's known as the City of Lakes, Minneapolis has a lot more to offer than gorgeous lakes, wetlands, and waterfalls. Shopaholics can spend days getting lost in the Mall of America, which boasts over 500 stores and an indoor theme park. If you're visiting Minneapolis on a romantic vacation, Minneapolis' bustling theater district offers excellent date nights from dozens of theater companies. Or, for a less musical and more brews-ical date option, head to one of 62 top-rated breweries in the #2 best city in America for craft beer.

Minneapolis can be visited in any season, but keep in mind that it becomes a frigid, snowy destination in the winter. January hovers around 0° Fahrenheit, but it's worth bundling up to enjoy the St. Paul Winter Carnival, or hockey and ice skating on any of the 13 lakes in the city. Have we mentioned how great the lakes are?

If you're visiting both of the Twin Cities, you can take public transport from downtown Minneapolis to Saint Paul in about 30 minutes. Public transit also connects downtown to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. Thanks to bus stations throughout Minneapolis, traveling by bus is the easiest way to arrive directly in the middle of the action and begin your adventure.

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 Minneapolis?

Main arrival station: 516 2nd Ave North

Transportation Center - 950 Hawthorne Ave - MSPGLI-0

Located in Central Minneapolis at 950 Hawthorne Ave, the Minneapolis Bus Station is a gateway to nearby cities throughout Minnesota and the Midwest. Greyhound and Jefferson Lines buses operate routes from this station to major cities such as Milwaukee or Chicago and beyond. From the Minneapolis Bus Station, it is a short 12-minute walk to Target Field Station where you can connect to light rail service throughout the city. Vending machines offer snacks or drinks within the station, or head one block south to Hennepin Ave for a variety of restaurant options for hungry travelers.

All bus stations in Minneapolis:

  • 516 2nd Ave North
  • University of Minnesota (Huron Blvd at 2428 Delaware St SE)
  • Minneapolis-St Paul Airport
  • 1 Veterans Drive

Need a return trip from Minneapolis to Iowa City?

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