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Cheap bus tickets from St Paul to Des Moines

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St Paul to Des Moines Bus Schedule

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Bus from St Paul to Des Moines: Journey Information

There are 4 intercity buses per day from St Paul to Des Moines. Traveling by bus from St Paul to Des Moines usually takes around 8 hours and 52 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 50 minutes.

Distance233 mi (375 km)
Shortest duration4h 50m
Cheapest price$103.00
Trips per day1
Most frequent serviceJefferson Lines
Bus lines3

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What bus companies travel from St Paul to Des Moines?

There are 3 bus lines from St Paul to Des Moines available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 3 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:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US11d 0h 40m$137.22
Jefferson Lines38h 24m$124.43
Tornado Bus15h 30m$142.00
  • 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 Saint Paul to Des Moines, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • Book Jefferson Lines from Saint Paul to Des Moines from $103. There are 3 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from St Paul to Des Moines and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Des Moines. In Saint Paul, Jefferson Lines departs to Des Moines from Union Depot . In Des Moines, Jefferson Lines arrives at Des Moines .

    An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Saint Paul to Des Moines takes 8 hours and 24 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Des Moines in 4 hours and 50 minutes .

    On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Des Moines.

  • 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 St Paul to Des Moines

The bus takes an average of 8 hours and 52 minutes to cover the 233 miles from St Paul to Des Moines. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 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.

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, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.

The first bus leaves at 8:00am and the last bus leaves at 3:00pm. To see the times for all buses from St Paul to Des Moines, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from St Paul to Des Moines every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. However, only one of these is a direct bus. With direct service, you do not have to transfer onto a different bus at any point during your trip. Direct buses also tend to be significantly faster, which is worth bearing in mind as you compare the available options.

City Information

St Paul

St. Paul, MN - STP-0

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St. Paul, MN - STP-1

Image credit: Unsplash

St. Paul, MN - STP-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota, and is one of the Twin Cities, along with its neighbor across the Mississippi River, Minneapolis. As the seat of Minnesota's government, Saint Paul offers historic and cultural attractions which represent both the state and the American Midwest as a whole.

For a comprehensive introduction to the region's history, start your trip at the Minnesota History Center, just down the street from the grounds of the State Capitol building. There are museums in Saint Paul for all types of interests, including the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Schubert Club Musical Instrument Museum. For an extra dash of Saint Paul history, take a stroll down Summit Avenue, a stylish street of drool-worthy Victorian houses and mansions, including the home of F. Scott Fitzgerald.

If you're brave enough to visit Saint Paul during the freezing winters, you'll be rewarded with the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, a yearly event where you can explore ice palaces, watch live ice sculpting, and compete in city-wide scavenger hunts. Saint Paul is also one of the country's best cities for craft beer, so save time to taste some local ales or even brew your own beer at Vine Park Brewing Co.

Saint Paul is a hub for travel in the Midwest thanks in part to Amtrak's Empire Builder train service which stops at Saint Paul Union Depot. Bus service from stations throughout town and nearby Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport make it easy to travel to and from this saintly city.

Des Moines

Des Moines, IA, US - DSM-0

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 St Paul?

Union Depot - STPAMT2-0

Image credit: David Wilson

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Main departure station: Union Depot

Located right on the banks of the Mississippi River in Saint Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood, Union Depot has a remarkable history dating back to 1881. It remains the major transport hub of Saint Paul, as well as the designated station for Amtrak service in the Twin Cities. Besides the long-haul Empire Builder train, the station serves Jefferson Lines and Greyhound intercity buses and connects to local public transit. Within the Union Depot complex, you’ll find a coffee shop, restaurant, bike shop, rental car agency, and can even join a public tour to admire the architecture and learn about the station’s storied past.

All bus stations in St Paul:

  • Union Depot

  • 178 Cesar Chavez St

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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