5.0
December 1, 2024- Visiting friends
Pros: Safe. Cons: Nothing. Tips: None.
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There are 2 intercity buses per day from Omaha to Des Moines. Traveling by bus from Omaha to Des Moines usually takes around 14 hours and 26 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 2 hours,
| Distance | 126 mi (203 km) |
| Shortest duration | 2h 0m |
| Cheapest price | NOK 255.08 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 2 |

Average score for buses from Omaha to Des Moines
(Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
5.0
December 1, 2024- Visiting friends
Pros: Safe. Cons: Nothing. Tips: None.
Bus tickets for a trip from Omaha to Des Moines cost NOK 255.08 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.
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Omaha to Des Moines that you can compare and book on Wanderu. However, each company only runs one bus per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 1 | 2h 2m | NOK 344.36 |
| Tornado Bus | 1 | 1d 17h 31m | NOK 1,632.52 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Omaha to Des Moines from NOK 255. Typically there is one Jefferson Lines schedule per day from Omaha to Des Moines and you can expect on average to pay 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 2 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Des Moines in 2 hours and 0 minutes .
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Des Moines.
The bus takes an average of 14 hours and 26 minutes to cover the 126 miles from Omaha to Des Moines. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours. 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.
With many people traveling in the middle of the week, Wednesday is the busiest day of the week for bus travel. If you are planning to travel on a Wednesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 6:00pm and the last bus leaves at 9:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Omaha to Des Moines, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.



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.

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.
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.
Burlington Trailways Terminal
Tobin Used Musical Instrument Store
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Des Moines.
Des Moines
Diversity Insurance Inc
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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.