5.0
The trip was great. Good bus driver and the bus was clean. The bus was quiet and the weather was great. Will travel again hopefully soon.
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There are 2 intercity buses per day from Kansas City to Ames. Traveling by bus from Kansas City to Ames usually takes around 5 hours and 1 minute, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 209 mi (336 km) |
| Shortest duration | 4h 15m |
| Cheapest price | $97.00 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 1 |

Average score for buses from Kansas City to Ames
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
The trip was great. Good bus driver and the bus was clean. The bus was quiet and the weather was great. Will travel again hopefully soon.
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Kansas City to Ames. 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 | 5h 2m | $97.00 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Kansas City to Ames from $97. There are 2 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Kansas City to Ames and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Ames. In Kansas City, Jefferson Lines departs to Ames from Bus Terminal - 1101 Troost Ave . In Ames, Jefferson Lines arrives at Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave .
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Kansas City to Ames takes 5 hours and 2 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Ames in 4 hours and 15 minutes .
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 3 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Ames.
The bus takes an average of 5 hours to cover the 209 miles from Kansas City to Ames. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 15 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.
Because many passengers travel from Kansas City to Ames at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, 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 8:00am and the last bus leaves at 7:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Kansas City to Ames, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.



Straddling two states, Kansas City is a vibrant modern city with plenty of activities for visitors. Those wishing to learn more about the city’s culture and history should not miss out on the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Arts, which offers artworks for both children and adults alike. If you seek something a bit quirkier and more interesting, the Arabia Steamboat Museum will certainly satisfy your curiosity. While you are in town, don’t forget to pay the Boulevard Brewing Company a visit. It is the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest and the source of pride from many local residents.
Kansas City’s signature barbecue is another source of pride, and you should take every occasion to try it out. Some noticeable venues with well-received barbecue dishes include Danny Edwards Boulevard BBQ and Arthur Bryant's Barbeque. If that’s not really your thing, The Farmhouse and Providence New American Kitchen are also worth checking out.
Kansas City’s principal bus station is located on Troost Ave, and it offers bus trips to Chicago, Wichita and Denver, among many other places. Kansas City Union Station provides Amtrak intercity train services, and the trains Missouri River Runner and Southwest Chief pass through the station on their way. Kansas City International Airport is located 15 miles northwest of Downtown.

Image credit: Paul Sableman
Link to image attributionLocated on Troost Avenue, the Bus Terminal provides intercity bus service from Kansas City on Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, and Amtrak Thruway buses. Popular routes from this station travel to cities such as Columbia, Chicago, and Wichita. The lounge inside the station includes seating, restrooms, and a cell phone charging station to help you stay connected during your trip. Several public transit options depart from nearby 12th St, so it’s easy to travel throughout Kansas City from the bus terminal.
Bus Terminal - 1101 Troost Ave
All buses from Kansas City arrive at one main station in Ames.
Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.