Cheap bus tickets from Minneapolis to Ames
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Bus from Minneapolis to Ames: Journey Information
There are 15 intercity buses per day from Minneapolis to Ames. Traveling by bus from Minneapolis to Ames usually takes around 8 hours and 47 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 361.00
- Trips per day
- 3
- Most frequent service
- Jefferson Lines
- Bus lines
- 2
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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 ratings and reviews)
5.0
There are several bus options that can take you from Minneapolis to Ames:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Minneapolis to Ames?
Bus tickets for a trip from Minneapolis to Ames cost NOK 405.37 on average. Tickets cheaper than NOK 405.37 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 494 to NOK 684. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 28, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Ames this week, bus tickets are available starting at NOK 494.
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 599. 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 713. 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 10 days in advance. This way, you can save up to NOK 292.89 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 14 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 14 | 8h 55m | NOK 628.23 |
| Tornado Bus | 1 | 3h 50m | NOK 1,567.51 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Minneapolis to Ames from NOK 361.00. There are 14 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Minneapolis to Ames and you can expect on average to pay NOK 628.23 for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Ames. In Minneapolis, Jefferson Lines departs to Ames from U of MN - Huron Blvd and 4 other stations. In Ames, Jefferson Lines arrives at Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave.
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Minneapolis to Ames takes 8 hours and 55 minutes, while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Ames in 4 hours and 10 minutes.
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 6 trips per day. A one way ticket costs NOK 361.00 for a weekend trip to Ames.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Minneapolis to Ames
There are 15 scheduled buses that travel from Minneapolis to Ames every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 3 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
15
Direct trips
3
The bus takes an average of 8 hours and 47 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 9:30am and the last bus leaves at 9:45pm. 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, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to Ames, book your ticket for the last day of the week.
Most crowded
Friday
Least crowded
Sunday
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 6 stations in Minneapolis.
All bus stations in Minneapolis:
- U of MN - Huron Blvd
- 516 2nd Ave North
- 1 Veterans Drive
- Minneapolis-St Paul Airport
- University of Minnesota (Huron Blvd at 2428 Delaware St SE)
- 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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