Cheap bus tickets from Minneapolis to Waterloo
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Bus from Minneapolis to Waterloo: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Minneapolis to Waterloo. Traveling by bus from Minneapolis to Waterloo usually takes around 7 hours and 24 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 45 minutes.
| Distance | 178 mi (286 km) |
| Shortest duration | 3h 45m |
| Cheapest price | $45.00 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 1 |
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Minneapolis to Waterloo Bus Schedule

There are several bus options that can take you from Minneapolis to Waterloo:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Minneapolis to Waterloo?
Bus tickets for a trip from Minneapolis to Waterloo cost $77.50 on average. Consider it a bargain when you can snag tickets for less than $77.50. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this 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. If you're looking for cheap bus tickets, booking in advance is the way to go.
What bus companies travel from Minneapolis to Waterloo?
There are multiple buses that travel from Minneapolis to Waterloo, including Jefferson Lines. Here is what you should know about the 1 most popular bus lines:
| BUS | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 2 | 7h 24m | $87.31 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Minneapolis to Waterloo from $45. There are 2 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Minneapolis to Waterloo and you can expect on average to pay $87.31 for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Waterloo. In Minneapolis, Jefferson Lines departs to Waterloo from 1 Veterans Drive and 3 other stations. In Waterloo, Jefferson Lines arrives at Love's Truck Stop.
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Minneapolis to Waterloo takes 7 hours and 24 minutes, while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Waterloo in 3 hours and 45 minutes.
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay $45 for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Waterloo.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Minneapolis to Waterloo
There are usually only 2 buses per day from Minneapolis to Waterloo. One bus is a direct connection, meaning that you can stay on the same vehicle for the entire trip, without having to transfer onto a connecting bus at any point.
TRIPS PER DAY
2
DIRECT TRIPS
1
The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 24 minutes to cover the 178 miles from Minneapolis to Waterloo. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 45 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)
178
DISTANCE (KM)
286
The first bus leaves at 9:30am and the last bus leaves at 5:25pm. To see the times for all buses from Minneapolis to Waterloo, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
EARLIEST BUS
9:30am
LATEST BUS
5:25pm
Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, 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 Waterloo, book your ticket for the last day of the week.
MOST CROWDED
Tuesday
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: 1 Veterans Drive
Buses to Waterloo leave from 4 stations in Minneapolis.
All bus stations in Minneapolis:
- 1 Veterans Drive
- 516 2nd Ave North
- Minneapolis-St Paul Airport
- University of Minnesota (Huron Blvd at 2428 Delaware St SE)
Where does the bus arrive in Waterloo?
Main arrival station: Love's Truck Stop
All buses from Minneapolis arrive at one main station in Waterloo.
All bus stations in Waterloo:
- Love's Truck Stop
Need a return trip from Waterloo to Minneapolis?
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