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 9 hours and 1 minute, 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 $78.09 on average. Consider it a bargain when you can snag tickets for less than $78.09. 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 Waterloo by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Minneapolis to Waterloo in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $107 to $179. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 19, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Waterloo this week, bus tickets are available starting at $179.
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 is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Minneapolis to Waterloo. Jefferson Lines is the one bus line that serves this route. Although it's the sole option, there are a couple of different scheduled times to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 2 | 9h 1m | $95.36 |
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 $95.36 for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Waterloo. In Minneapolis, Jefferson Lines departs to Waterloo from 516 2nd Ave North and 4 other stations. In Waterloo, Jefferson Lines arrives at Love's Truck Stop.
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Minneapolis to Waterloo takes 9 hours and 1 minutes, while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Waterloo in 3 hours and 45 minutes.
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $45 for a weekend 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 9 hours 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, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.
Most crowded
Tuesday
Least crowded
Thursday
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: 516 2nd Ave North
Located in Central Minneapolis at 950 Hawthorne Ave, the Minneapolis Bus Station is a gateway to nearby cities throughout Minnesota and the Midwest. Greyhound and Jefferson Lines buses operate routes from this station to major cities such as Milwaukee or Chicago and beyond. From the Minneapolis Bus Station, it is a short 12-minute walk to Target Field Station where you can connect to light rail service throughout the city. Vending machines offer snacks or drinks within the station, or head one block south to Hennepin Ave for a variety of restaurant options for hungry travelers.
All bus stations in Minneapolis:
- 516 2nd Ave North
- 1 Veterans Drive
- University of Minnesota (Huron Blvd at 2428 Delaware St SE)
- Minneapolis-St Paul Airport
- U of MN - Huron Blvd
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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