5.0
Pros: The customer service was friendly, the bus was clean and neat, the ride was comfortable and on time. Cons: Maybe lower the fare. Tips: Jefferson is one of the best bus companies to travel with.
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Journey Information
There are 8 intercity buses per day from Minneapolis to Des Moines. Traveling by bus from Minneapolis to Des Moines usually takes around 7 hours and 1 minute, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 5 hours,
| Distance | 234 mi (377 km) |
| Shortest duration | 5h 0m |
| Cheapest price | $34.00 |
| Trips per day | 3 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 3 |
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from Minneapolis to Des Moines
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Buses from Minneapolis to Des Moines
- FlixBus US: 1 daily buses from $131
- Jefferson Lines: 7 daily buses from $34
- Tornado Bus: 1 daily buses from $105
How much is a bus ticket from Minneapolis to Des Moines?
Bus tickets for a trip from Minneapolis to Des Moines cost $50.50 on average. Tickets cheaper than $50.50 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.
Monthly avg. prices
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from Minneapolis to Des Moines, mark your calendar for May. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just $65. However, taking the bus from Minneapolis to Des Moines during September is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of $103. The best way to find deals on a trip in September is to plan ahead and book your bus ticket as early as possible.
What bus companies travel from Minneapolis to Des Moines?
There are 3 bus lines from Minneapolis to Des Moines available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 7 daily trips, Jefferson Lines 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 1 | 1d 0h 30m | $130.98 |
| Jefferson Lines | 7 | 6h 50m | $58.48 |
| Tornado Bus | 1 | 5h 0m | $105.00 |
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 Minneapolis to Des Moines, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Book Jefferson Lines from Minneapolis to Des Moines from $34. There are 7 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Minneapolis to Des Moines and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Des Moines. In Minneapolis, Jefferson Lines departs to Des Moines from Minneapolis-St Paul Airport and 3 other stations. In Des Moines, Jefferson Lines arrives at Des Moines .
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Minneapolis to Des Moines takes 6 hours and 50 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Des Moines in 5 hours and 0 minutes .
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 8 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Des Moines.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 7 hours to cover the 234 miles from Minneapolis to Des Moines. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 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.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Des Moines at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.
The first bus leaves at 10:00am and the last bus leaves at 6:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Minneapolis to Des Moines, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 8 scheduled buses that travel from Minneapolis to Des Moines 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.
City Information
Minneapolis
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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.
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 Minneapolis?
Main departure station: Minneapolis-St Paul Airport
Buses to Des Moines leave from 5 stations in Minneapolis.
All bus stations in Minneapolis:
Minneapolis-St Paul Airport
Minneapolis
1 Veterans Drive
University of Minnesota (Huron Blvd at 2428 Delaware St SE)
Tienda La Mexicana (MN)
Where does the bus arrive in Des Moines?
Main arrival station: Des Moines
Buses arrive in Des Moines at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in Des Moines:
Des Moines
Diversity Insurance Inc
Des Moines Subway
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