Cheap bus tickets from Minneapolis to Ames

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Bus from Minneapolis to Ames: Journey Information

There are 16 intercity buses per day from Minneapolis to Ames. Traveling by bus from Minneapolis to Ames usually takes around 8 hours and 36 minutes, but the fastest Tornado Bus bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 50 minutes.

Distance: 204 mi (329 km)
Shortest duration: 3h 50m
Cheapest price: NOK 358.85
Trips per day: 16
Most frequent service: Jefferson Lines
Bus lines: 2

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4.8 Rating

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Minneapolis to Ames Bus Schedule

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Minneapolis to Ames (Based on 1 rating and review)

5.0

Liping

March 3, 2020 - Visiting family

Jefferson Lines

Pros: The staff at the Hawthorne Bus Station in Minneapolis were kind and helpful. Tips: Try to listen to the bus driver when they give time allotments and rules for breaks. I'm sure they have to take time to deal with folks always trying to hop off at a "not-break" stop all the time and that probably slows them down and gets annoying. Then it slows down the whole bus when they're reprimanding said persons who hop off and try to get back on.

There are several bus options that can take you from Minneapolis to Ames:

See more details

How much is a bus ticket from Minneapolis to Ames?

Bus tickets for a trip from Minneapolis to Ames cost about NOK 419 when you book at the cheapest time, 13 days ahead. Tickets cheaper than NOK 419 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 bus ticket prices from Minneapolis to Ames by travel date

If you're planning to travel by bus from Minneapolis to Ames in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from NOK 491 to NOK 689. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on November 9, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Ames this week, bus tickets are available starting at NOK 491.

Average bus ticket prices from Minneapolis to Ames by month

Taking the bus from Minneapolis to Ames is usually cheapest in November, when the average ticket price is only NOK 595. If you're planning to take the bus from Minneapolis to Ames during July, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of NOK 718. 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 13 days in advance. This way, you can save up to NOK 308.05 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Minneapolis to Ames?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Minneapolis to Ames that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Jefferson Lines usually offers more choice, with 15 scheduled trips per day.

Bus	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Jefferson Lines	15	8h 43m	NOK 574.73
Tornado Bus	1	3h 50m	NOK 1,558.18

Jefferson Lines is a well-established intercity bus company with service to some of the Midwest’s top travel destinations. As one of the United States’ largest bus service providers, Jefferson Lines is beloved by students, commuters, and vacationers in America’s heartland. Travel with Jefferson Lines is comfortable thanks to reclining seats, individual climate controls, restrooms, and free WiFi. You can even check the status of your trip with their bus tracker tool. The carrier provides safe, affordable, and reliable service from Minneapolis to Ames with ticket prices as low as NOK 358.85.
Tornado Bus is a Texan bus company operating in Texas and Mexico. Their bus service connects cities such as Houston, McAllen, San Antonio, and the international border at El Paso. Their buses offer onboard WiFi, plenty of leg room, air conditioning, restrooms, and power outlets.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Minneapolis to Ames

There are 16 scheduled buses that travel from Minneapolis to Ames every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 4 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.

Trips per day

Direct trips

The bus takes an average of 8 hours and 36 minutes to cover the 204 miles from Minneapolis to Ames. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 50 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.

Distance (mi)

204

Distance (km)

329

The first bus leaves at 9:30 AM and the last bus leaves at 9:45 PM. To see the times for all buses from Minneapolis to Ames, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

9:30am

Latest bus

9:45pm

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

Most crowded

Friday

Least crowded

Tuesday

City Information

Minneapolis

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 Minneapolis?

Main departure station: U of MN - Huron Blvd

Buses to Ames leave from 5 stations in Minneapolis.

All bus stations in Minneapolis:

U of MN - Huron Blvd
516 2nd Ave North
Minneapolis-St Paul Airport
1 Veterans Drive
Tienda La Mexicana (MN)

Where does the bus arrive in Ames?

Main arrival station: Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave

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

All bus stations in Ames:

Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave
Phillips 66 Gas Station

Need a return trip from Ames to Minneapolis?

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