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St Louis to Des Moines bus

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St Louis - Des Moines Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from St Louis to Des Moines. Traveling by bus from St Louis to Des Moines usually takes around 11 hours and 52 minutes, but the fastest Burlington Trailways bus can make the trip in 10 hours and 35 minutes.

Distance273 mi (440 km)
Shortest duration10h 35m
Cheapest price£83.20
Most frequent serviceBurlington Trailways
Bus lines1

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from St Louis to Des Moines

(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)

4.0

4.0

Keith

December 30, 2022- Solo travel

Burlington Trailways

Pros: I didn't like Iowa headed back home next week. Cons: It's nothing on you guys it's just a state that I'm in I don't like it. Tips: About before you go anywhere things might sound good and look good but it don't seems that way sometimes.

Price trends for buses from St Louis to Des Moines

Monthly avg. prices

£100£80£60£40£20MJJASONDJFMA

What bus companies travel from St Louis to Des Moines?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from St Louis to Des Moines. Burlington Trailways 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.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Burlington Trailways211h 52m£89.60
  • Book Burlington Trailways from St Louis to Des Moines from £83. There are 2 trips per day offered by Burlington Trailways from St Louis to Des Moines and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to Des Moines. In St Louis, Burlington Trailways departs to Des Moines from Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St . In Des Moines, Burlington Trailways arrives at Des Moines .

    An average trip on Burlington Trailways from St Louis to Des Moines takes 11 hours and 52 minutes , while the fastest available Burlington Trailways trip will get you to Des Moines in 10 hours and 35 minutes .

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 11 hours and 52 minutes to cover the 273 miles from St Louis to Des Moines. However, the fastest bus only takes 10 hours and 35 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.

Thursday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Saturday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 7:00am and the last bus leaves at 7:00am. To see the times for all buses from St Louis to Des Moines, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are usually only 2 buses per day from St Louis to Des Moines. However, neither bus offers direct service, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to transfer buses during the trip.

City Information

St Louis

St. Louis, MO - STL-0

Image credit: Unsplash

St. Louis, MO - STL-1

Image credit: Unsplash

St. Louis, MO - STL-2

Image credit: Unsplash

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, 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 Louis?

Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St - STLAMT-0

Image credit: Chris Yunker

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St

Gateway Station opened in 2008 to consolidate St Louis’ transportation services into one central hub. The station’s award-winning design includes a pedestrian walkway with expansive colored glass windows overlooking the train tracks. Perfectly located in the heart of downtown St Louis, the station is surrounded by bars, restaurants, and hotels and is just a few blocks from Busch Stadium and the iconic Gateway Arch. Amenities inside the station include free Wifi, a food court, and a lounge for Amtrak’s First Class passengers. Gateway Station is a major stop for intercity bus service, several Amtrak train lines, and the city’s MetroLink which can connect you with the St Louis Lambert International Airport in just 30 minutes.

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

Get around town with Moovit

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