Cheap bus tickets from Omaha to Des Moines
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Bus from Omaha to Des Moines: Journey Information
There is one daily bus from Omaha to Des Moines. Traveling by bus from Omaha to Des Moines usually takes around 9 hours and 52 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 126 mi (203 km) |
| Shortest duration | 2h 15m |
| Cheapest price | $25.00 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 2 |
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:
Download our free app!
Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
4.8 Rating
5k Reviews
4.5 Rating
4.8k Reviews
Omaha to Des Moines Bus Schedule
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from Omaha to Des Moines (Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
5.0
December 1, 2024 - Visiting friends
Burlington Trailways5.0
December 31, 2019 - Solo travel
Windstar LinesThere are several bus options that can take you from Omaha to Des Moines:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Omaha to Des Moines?
Bus tickets for a trip from Omaha to Des Moines cost $25.00 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. 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 Omaha to Des Moines by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Omaha to Des Moines in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $25 to $98. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on August 25, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Des Moines this week, bus tickets are available starting at $25.
Average bus ticket prices from Omaha to Des Moines by month
Taking the bus from Omaha to Des Moines is usually cheapest in August, when the average ticket price is only $57. If you're planning to take the bus from Omaha to Des Moines during October, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $89. 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 26 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $145.00 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Omaha to Des Moines?
There are multiple buses that travel from Omaha to Des Moines, including Jefferson Lines, Tornado Bus. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular bus lines:
| BUS | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 1 | 2h 15m | $26.43 |
| Tornado Bus | 1 | 41h 11m | $170.00 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Omaha to Des Moines from $25. Typically there is one Jefferson Lines schedule per day from Omaha to Des Moines and you can expect on average to pay $26.43 for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Des Moines. In Omaha, Jefferson Lines departs to Des Moines from Burlington Trailways Terminal. In Des Moines, Jefferson Lines arrives at Des Moines.
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Omaha to Des Moines takes 2 hours and 15 minutes.
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay $25 for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Des Moines.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Omaha to Des Moines
There is usually only one bus per day from Omaha to Des Moines. Fortunately, this happens to be a direct bus, meaning that you do not have to get on a different bus at any point during your trip.
TRIPS PER DAY
1
DIRECT TRIPS
1
The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 52 minutes to cover the 126 miles from Omaha to Des Moines. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 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.
DISTANCE (MI)
126
DISTANCE (KM)
203
There is usually only one bus per day from Omaha to Des Moines. It leaves the station in Omaha at 9:05pm 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
6:00pm
LATEST BUS
9:05pm
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Omaha 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, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to Des Moines, book your ticket for the last day of the week.
MOST CROWDED
Friday
LEAST CROWDED
Sunday
City Information
Omaha
Once known as the “Gateway to the West,” Omaha effortlessly blends its rich historical heritage with modern growth. To catch an air of the city’s old-town vibe, head towards the Old Market quarter. Featuring brick-paved streets along with horse-drawn carriages, the area is an idyllic time capsule that offers a glimpse into the past. Also situated within the quarter are the Joslyn Art Museum and the Omaha Children’s Museum. Animal lovers might want to check out Omaha’s Doorly Zoo or the Aquarium, which features cute Rockhopper penguins as well as a 70-foot shark tunnel.
Steakhouses dominate the city’s restaurant scene, but there has been a recent boom of modern eateries. If you wish to enjoy these modern foods, Kitchen Table will offer everything you need.
The busiest bus station in the city is the Burlington Trailways Terminal downtown. For trains, the main Amtrak station is located on S 9th St, not too far from the bus station. Omaha is served by Amtrak’s California Zephyr line. The city’s principal airport is the Eppley Airfield, located 3 miles northeast of downtown.
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 Omaha?
Main departure station: Burlington Trailways Terminal
The Burlington Trailways Station on Jackson St, located in east Omaha, provides bus services for several bus carriers: Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Express Arrow, and Burlington Trailways. The station features an indoor waiting area, as well as vending machines and restrooms. The Burlington Trailways station is only a short walk from several cafes and restaurants if you feel like grabbing something more substantial to get you through your bus journey.
All bus stations in Omaha:
- Burlington Trailways Terminal
- Tobin Used Musical Instrument Store
Where does the bus arrive in Des Moines?
Main arrival station: Des Moines
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Des Moines.
All bus stations in Des Moines:
- Des Moines
- Diversity Insurance Inc
Need a return trip from Des Moines to Omaha?
Search Bus TicketsPlan your next adventure
More buses from Omaha
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.