Cheap bus tickets from Kansas City to Des Moines
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Kansas City to Des Moines Bus Schedule
Bus from Kansas City to Des Moines: Journey Information
There are 3 intercity buses per day from Kansas City to Des Moines. Traveling by bus from Kansas City to Des Moines usually takes around 3 hours and 33 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 25 minutes.
| Distance | 180 mi (290 km) |
| Shortest duration | 3h 25m |
| Cheapest price | RON 290.30 |
| Trips per day | 3 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 1 |

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from Kansas City to Des Moines
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
Price trends for buses from Kansas City to Des Moines
Monthly avg. prices
What bus companies travel from Kansas City to Des Moines?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Kansas City 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 | 3h 34m | RON 290.30 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Kansas City to Des Moines from RON 290. There are 3 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Kansas City to Des Moines and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Des Moines. In Kansas City, Jefferson Lines departs to Des Moines from Bus Terminal - 1101 Troost Ave . In Des Moines, Jefferson Lines arrives at Des Moines .
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Kansas City to Des Moines takes 3 hours and 34 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Des Moines in 3 hours and 25 minutes .
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Des Moines.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Kansas City to Des Moines
The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 33 minutes to cover the 180 miles from Kansas City to Des Moines. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 25 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. 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 7:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Kansas City to Des Moines, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
City Information
Kansas City



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.
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 Kansas City?

Image credit: Paul Sableman
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Bus Terminal - 1101 Troost Ave
Located 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.
All bus stations in Kansas City:
Bus Terminal - 1101 Troost Ave
Where does the bus arrive in Des Moines?
Main arrival station: Des Moines
All buses from Kansas City arrive at one main station in Des Moines.
All bus stations in Des Moines:
Des Moines
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Des Moines to Kansas City?
Search Bus TicketsPlan your next adventure
More buses from Kansas City
- Kansas City to Phoenix Bus
RON 1,044+
- Bus from Kansas City to Denver
RON 418+
- Bus from Kansas City to Chicago
RON 407+
- Kansas City to Lawrence
RON 58+
- Bus from Kansas City to Wichita
RON 164+
- Kansas City to Minneapolis Bus
RON 462+
- Kansas City to Columbia Bus
RON 151+
- Kansas City to St Louis
RON 230+
- Kansas City to Omaha
RON 262+
- Kansas City to Oklahoma City Bus
RON 250+
- Kansas City to Tulsa Bus
RON 278+
- Bus from Kansas City to Memphis
RON 340+
- Kansas City to Nashville Bus
RON 528+
- Bus from Kansas City to Dallas
RON 424+
- Kansas City to Houston
RON 612+
Continue by bus from Des Moines
- Des Moines to Denver
RON 663+
- Des Moines to Ames Bus
RON 87+
- Des Moines to Cedar Rapids Bus
RON 227+
- Des Moines to Davenport
RON 195+
- Des Moines to Iowa City Bus
RON 143+
- Des Moines to Ottumwa Bus
RON 173+
- Des Moines to Chicago
RON 493+
- Des Moines to Minneapolis Bus
RON 335+
- Bus from Des Moines to Kansas City
RON 290+
- Des Moines to Lincoln Bus
RON 249+
- Des Moines to Omaha Bus
RON 119+
Check out these popular routes
- Toronto to Ottawa Bus
RON 123+
- Montreal to New York Bus
RON 364+
- Washington D.C. to New York Bus
RON 128+
- Boston to Portland Bus
RON 124+
- Boston to New York
RON 146+
- Bus from Portland to Boston
RON 113+
- Brooklyn to Washington D.C. Bus
RON 168+
- Ithaca to New York Bus
RON 308+
- Bus from New York to Montreal
RON 366+
- Bus from New York to Washington D.C.
RON 130+
- Bus from New York to Boston
RON 165+
- New York to Ithaca Bus
RON 272+
- Bus from New York to Philadelphia
RON 80+
- Philadelphia to Brooklyn Bus
RON 65+
- Bus from Philadelphia to New York
RON 78+
- Dallas to Houston Bus
RON 176+
- Houston to Dallas Bus
RON 157+
- Seattle to Vancouver Bus
RON 160+

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
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.
- Bus Tickets
- United States
- Iowa
- Des Moines
- Kansas City to Des Moines






