Cheap bus tickets from St Louis to Des Moines
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Bus from St Louis to Des Moines: Journey Information
There is one daily bus from St Louis to Des Moines. Traveling by bus from St Louis to Des Moines usually takes around 15 hours and 5 minutes, but some buses might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled depending on traffic conditions.
| Distance | 273 mi (440 km) |
| Shortest duration | 15h 5m |
| Cheapest price | $84.97 |
| Trips per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 1 |
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:
St Louis to Des Moines Bus Schedule

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from St Louis to Des Moines (Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
4.0
December 30, 2022 - Solo travel
Burlington TrailwaysThere are several bus options that can take you from St Louis to Des Moines:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from St Louis to Des Moines?
Bus tickets for a trip from St Louis to Des Moines cost $84.97 on average. While it’s a bit pricey for a bus ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. 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 St Louis to Des Moines by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from St Louis to Des Moines in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $78 to $113. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on August 27, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Des Moines this week, bus tickets are available starting at $78.
Average bus ticket prices from St Louis to Des Moines by month
Taking the bus from St Louis to Des Moines is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only $106. If you're planning to take the bus from St Louis to Des Moines during February, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $164. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.
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. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 5 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $57.11 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from St Louis to Des Moines?
There are multiple buses that travel from St Louis to Des Moines, including FlixBus US. Here is what you should know about the 1 most popular bus lines:
| BUS | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 1 | 15h 5m | $128.73 |
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 St Louis to Des Moines, and the average ticket for this route costs only $128.73.






Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from St Louis to Des Moines
There is usually only one bus per day from St Louis to Des Moines. However, it is not a direct bus, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to change buses during the trip.
TRIPS PER DAY
1
DIRECT TRIPS
0
The bus takes an average of 15 hours and 5 minutes to cover the 273 miles from St Louis to Des Moines. 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)
273
DISTANCE (KM)
440
There is usually only one bus per day from St Louis to Des Moines. It leaves the station in St Louis at 11:30pm each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.
EARLIEST BUS
11:30pm
LATEST BUS
11:30pm
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Des Moines at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.
MOST CROWDED
Sunday
LEAST CROWDED
Tuesday
City Information
St Louis



St. Louis is one of several major cities in the state of Missouri and it is uniquely located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The city is usually recognized by its most distinctive feature, the Gateway Arch, thanks to which it is the only city in the United States that has a national park in the heart of its downtown district. The Arch is a must-see attraction and you can even take a tram to the top for some incredible views of the St. Louis skyline.
Some of the other truly unique attractions you can visit while you’re in town include the Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis where you can check out an incredible collection of dolls, dollhouses and vignettes, and the City Museum where you can ride down a 10-story spiral slide (yup, you read that right.) For a great outdoor experience, stop by the gorgeous Missouri Botanical Garden, and then take a stroll through Citygarden where you will find various quirky statues and installations worthy of being featured in your Instagram feed.
Ale enthusiasts would be excited to know that St. Louis is one of the best craft beer cities in the U.S. as well as one of the cheapest drinking cities. That means your party budget could take you a long way. Unsurprisingly, the city is also among the best spring break destinations on a budget.
The main bus and train station in St. Louis, Gateway Station, is located right in the center of downtown, not far from the Gateway Arch, which makes coming in and out of the city a breeze.
Des Moines

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 Louis?
Main departure station: Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
Most buses depart from the main station in St Louis.
All bus stations in St Louis:
- Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
Where does the bus arrive in Des Moines?
Main arrival station: Des Moines
All buses from St Louis arrive at one main station in Des Moines.
All bus stations in Des Moines:
- Des Moines
Need a return trip from Des Moines to St Louis?
Search Bus TicketsPlan your next adventure
More buses from St Louis
Continue by bus from Des Moines
Check out these popular routes

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.




