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Journey Information
There are 3 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 10 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 6 hours and 55 minutes.
Distance | 233 mi (375 km) |
Shortest duration | 6h 55m |
Cheapest price | €96.13 |
Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
Bus lines | 1 |
Price trends for buses from St Paul to Des Moines
Monthly average prices
What bus companies travel from St Paul to Des Moines?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from St Paul to Des Moines. Jefferson Lines connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.
Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Jefferson Lines | 3 | 8h 10m | €98.83 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Saint Paul to Des Moines from €96. 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 10 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Des Moines in 6 hours and 55 minutes .
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 4 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Des Moines.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 8 hours and 10 minutes to cover the 233 miles from St Paul to Des Moines. However, the fastest bus only takes 6 hours and 55 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.
With many people traveling in the middle of the week, Wednesday is the busiest day of the week for bus travel. If you are planning to travel on a Wednesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Friday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 9:00am 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.
City Information
St Paul
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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
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?
Image credit: David Wilson
Link to image attributionMain 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
Where does the bus arrive in Des Moines?
Main arrival station: Des Moines
All buses from St Paul arrive at one main station in Des Moines.
All bus stations in Des Moines:
Des Moines
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