Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
Journey Information
There are 6 intercity buses per day from Chicago to Des Moines. Traveling by bus from Chicago to Des Moines usually takes around 10 hours and 27 minutes, but the fastest Burlington Trailways bus can make the trip in 7 hours and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 309 mi (497 km) |
| Shortest duration | 7h 10m |
| Cheapest price | $37.98 |
| Trips per day | 3 |
| Most frequent service | Burlington Trailways |
| Bus lines | 3 |
Buses from Chicago to Des Moines
- Burlington Trailways: 5 daily buses from $123
- FlixBus US: 1 daily buses from $37
- Greyhound: 1 daily buses from $51
How much is a bus ticket from Chicago to Des Moines?
Bus tickets for a trip from Chicago to Des Moines cost $50.99 on average. Tickets cheaper than $50.99 are an excellent bargain. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Average prices by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Chicago to Des Moines in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $102 to $124. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on October 4, 2024.
If you’re looking to travel to Des Moines this week, bus tickets are available starting at $117.
Monthly avg. prices
Prices as travel date approaches
To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 17 days in advance to save up to $76.31.
What bus companies travel from Chicago to Des Moines?
There are 3 bus lines from Chicago to Des Moines available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 5 daily trips, Burlington Trailways usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington Trailways | 5 | 10h 19m | $128.70 |
| FlixBus US | 1 | 15h 25m | $50.84 |
| Greyhound | 1 | 9h 40m | $52.53 |
Book Burlington Trailways from Chicago to Des Moines from $123. There are 5 trips per day offered by Burlington Trailways from Chicago to Des Moines and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to Des Moines. In Chicago, Burlington Trailways departs to Des Moines from Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St . In Des Moines, Burlington Trailways arrives at Des Moines .
An average trip on Burlington Trailways from Chicago to Des Moines takes 10 hours and 19 minutes , while the fastest available Burlington Trailways trip will get you to Des Moines in 7 hours and 10 minutes .
On weekends, Burlington Trailways offers 4 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Des Moines.
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 1 trips per day from Chicago to Des Moines, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 1 bus trips from Chicago to Des Moines every day, with the average journey taking around 9 hours and 40 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Des Moines usually start from $51.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 10 hours and 27 minutes to cover the 309 miles from Chicago to Des Moines. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 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.
Thursday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, 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.
The first bus leaves at 5:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to Des Moines, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
City Information
Chicago
Known for its innovative architecture, cultural contributions to jazz and house music, and of course that irresistible deep-dish pizza, the many sights and experiences in Chicago make it one of the best urban vacation destinations for millennials and a top destination in Illinois.
You can't beat the views of the city and Lake Michigan from the SkyDeck in the Willis Tower; at over 1,300 feet, this is the highest observation deck in the U.S. Snap that classic selfie with the Bean in Millennium Park, then wander the many museums in nearby Grant Park. Navy Pier is a popular tourist hotspot for its parks, restaurants, and attractions right on Lake Michigan, and baseball fans will find paradise in Wrigleyville, home to the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field and sports bars galore.
Chicago's enormous parks offer plentiful opportunities for outdoor activities in gorgeous urban settings. Many companies offer kayak rentals or boat tours on the Chicago River, with special tours running on Saint Patrick's Day, when the entire river is dyed green. When you’re ready to buy some souvenirs from your epic trip, hit the big brand stores on the Magnificent Mile, or shop local in neighborhoods like Andersonville and Wicker Park. And don't miss the chance to laugh until you cry at The Second City comedy theater, famous for launching the careers of comedians like Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert.
Chicago is one of the biggest transportation hubs in the Midwest, and provides easy access to nearby destinations ideal for day trips, as well as international travel from two airports. Thanks to plenty of bus and train stations throughout the city, getting to the Windy City is a breeze.
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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Chicago?
Image credit: Jeramey Jannene
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
Chicago has two bus stations with service to Des Moines.
All bus stations in Chicago:
Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
Dan Ryan Bus Station
Where does the bus arrive in Des Moines?
Main arrival station: Des Moines
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Des Moines.
All bus stations in Des Moines:
Des Moines
Des Moines Subway
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Des Moines to Chicago?
Search Bus TicketsPlan your next adventure
More buses from Chicago
Continue by bus from Des Moines
Check out these popular routes
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more