Cheap bus tickets from St Louis to Des Moines

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Bus from St Louis to Des Moines: 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 13 hours and 47 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 12 hours and 5 minutes.

Distance
273 mi (440 km)
Shortest duration
12h 5m
Cheapest price
TRY 4,219.80
Trips per day
0
Most frequent service
FlixBus US
Bus lines
1

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St Louis to Des Moines Bus Schedule

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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
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How much is a bus ticket from St Louis to Des Moines?

Bus tickets for a trip from St Louis to Des Moines cost TRY 4,219.80 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

TRY 5,475TRY 3,650TRY 1,825SepSep

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 TRY 4,246 to TRY 5,466. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 25, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Des Moines this week, bus tickets are available starting at TRY 4,246.

Average bus ticket prices from St Louis to Des Moines by month

TRY 8,025TRY 6,420TRY 4,815TRY 3,210TRY 1,605JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from St Louis to Des Moines is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only TRY 5,222. 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 TRY 8,003. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

TRY 6,125TRY 4,900TRY 3,675TRY 2,450TRY 1,225010

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 7 days in advance. This way, you can save up to TRY 1,892.49 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

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. FlixBus US 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
FlixBus US213h 47mTRY 5,758.50
  • 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 2 trips per day from St Louis to Des Moines, and the average ticket for this route costs only TRY 5,758.50.

    USFLX-0USFLX-1USFLX-2USFLX-3USFLX-4USFLX-5

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from St Louis to Des Moines

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.

Trips per day

2

Direct trips

0

The bus takes an average of 13 hours and 47 minutes to cover the 273 miles from St Louis to Des Moines. However, the fastest bus only takes 12 hours and 5 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.

Distance (mi)

273

Distance (km)

440

The first bus leaves at 10:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:30pm. To see the times for all buses from St Louis to Des Moines, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

10:00am

Latest bus

11:30pm

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from St Louis to Des Moines for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.

Most crowded

Friday

Least crowded

Wednesday

City Information

St Louis

St. Louis, MO - STL-0St. Louis, MO - STL-1St. Louis, MO - STL-2

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

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

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