Cheap bus tickets from Oklahoma City to Des Moines
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
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:
Oklahoma City to Des Moines Bus Schedule
Bus from Oklahoma City to Des Moines: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Oklahoma City to Des Moines. Traveling by bus from Oklahoma City to Des Moines usually takes around 17 hours and 21 minutes, but the fastest Tornado Bus bus can make the trip in 12 hours and 51 minutes.
| Distance | 473 mi (762 km) |
| Shortest duration | 12h 51m |
| Cheapest price | $245.00 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Tornado Bus |
| Bus lines | 1 |

What bus companies travel from Oklahoma City to Des Moines?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Oklahoma City to Des Moines. Tornado Bus 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.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tornado Bus | 2 | 17h 21m | $245.00 |
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Oklahoma City to Des Moines
The bus takes an average of 17 hours and 21 minutes to cover the 473 miles from Oklahoma City to Des Moines. However, the fastest bus only takes 12 hours and 51 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.
The first bus leaves at 1:00pm and the last bus leaves at 10:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Oklahoma City to Des Moines, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
City Information
Oklahoma City



Often overlooked by travelers, Oklahoma City features a treasure trove of fun and quirky little secrets that will keep you enchanted. Among the city’s most famous attractions is the Museum of Osteology, which is one of the only two osteology museums in North America. Featuring more than 300 complete skeletons, as well as 400 different skulls, the museum is a unique experience that will leave you pleasantly satisfied. For those interested in the city’s history and its Western heritage, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum offers deep insights into the period.
After a day of exploring the city’s many museums, unwind at Bricktown, which offers some of the best entertainment establishments and eateries in town. Oklahoma City boasts a large population of Vietnamese Americans, and one of the best spots to try out amazing pho noodles is at Pho Ca Dao, a local favorite. In case you want to enjoy the most authentically Oklahoman dishes, try Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the city.
Travelers can catch a bus from several different places in the city depending on the carrier you are traveling with. For train travelers, the Oklahoma City Amtrak station is located right in the heart of downtown making it easily accessible. The city is served by two airports: the Will Rogers World Airport, which is located 6 miles southwest of Downtown, and the Wiley Post Airport, seven miles northwest of the central business district.
Des Moines

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 Oklahoma City?
Main departure station: Plaza Latina
Most buses depart from the main station in Oklahoma City.
All bus stations in Oklahoma City:
Plaza Latina
Where does the bus arrive in Des Moines?
Main arrival station: Diversity Insurance Inc
All buses from Oklahoma City arrive at one main station in Des Moines.
All bus stations in Des Moines:
Diversity Insurance Inc
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Des Moines to Oklahoma City?
Search Bus Tickets
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.
- Bus Tickets
- United States
- Iowa
- Des Moines
- Oklahoma City to Des Moines






