Cheap bus tickets from Nashville to Iowa City
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Nashville to Iowa City Bus Schedule
Bus from Nashville to Iowa City: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Nashville to Iowa City. Traveling by bus from Nashville to Iowa City usually takes around 19 hours and 22 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 15 hours and 55 minutes.
| Distance | 458 mi (736 km) |
| Shortest duration | 15h 55m |
| Cheapest price | $124.97 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 1 |

What bus companies travel from Nashville to Iowa City?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Nashville to Iowa City. 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.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 2 | 19h 23m | $189.84 |
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 Nashville to Iowa City, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Nashville to Iowa City
The bus takes an average of 19 hours and 22 minutes to cover the 458 miles from Nashville to Iowa City. However, the fastest bus only takes 15 hours and 55 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.
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Nashville to Iowa City 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, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.
The first bus leaves at 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 2:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Nashville to Iowa City, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
City Information
Nashville

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash
Nashville may be the capital of the state of Tennessee, but it’s actually much more famous as the country music capital of the world. If you are a fan of country music, or music in general, Nashville is a must-visit destination. Here you can visit several one-of-a-kind museums dedicated to the genre and attend amazing live performances every day at pretty much every bar or venue across town.
There are two places that you absolutely must visit while you’re in town: the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum (for obvious reasons), and the legendary Grand Ole Opry House, known as country’s most famous stage. Once you get those out of the way, head over to Broadway and snatch yourself a pair of cowboy boots before embarking on a tour of the many bars and restaurants that make up Nashville’s most famous street.
And if you’re looking to escape the country-ness of it all, you might want to head over to East Nashville where you will find hip new restaurants and bars full of young and artistic crowds. It’s definitely worth checking out the area, if only for the several Insta-ready murals you will find there.
While there is no Amtrak train service that goes to Nashville, there are several bus carriers that serve the city and the main bus station is located very conveniently downtown, not too far from all the hustle and bustle of Music City. The Nashville International Airport is located on the outskirts of the city, but there is a direct bus transit service that will take you from there all the way to the heart of town.
Iowa City

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Pixabay
The old capital city of Iowa, Iowa City, is a historic area with plenty of quaint old buildings and beautiful landmarks. The most notable attraction is the Old Capitol Building in the middle of the University of Iowa's campus. The building's first floor is a museum dedicated to the state's history so that you can brush up on your Hawkeye State knowledge (we'll get you started: the Iowa state rock is the geode!). For more history and culture, hit up Plum Grove, the home of the first Governor of Iowa, and the University of Iowa Art Museum.
Thanks to its lively cultural scene, Iowa City's food scene is vibrant and diverse. One of the must-try establishments in the city is Short's Burger and Shine, which features a wide variety of burgers made from locally sourced meat. In addition, the Hamburg Inn No. 2 is an award-winning restaurant, with visitors including many past presidents.
Bus service to Iowa City arrives right downtown for easy access to Iowa City's highlights. Although there is a small municipal airport in Iowa City, most commercial flights will depart from nearby Cedar Rapids Airport or even from Des Moines, about 100 miles away.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Nashville?
Main departure station: Greyhound: Bus Station
The primary bus station in Nashville is in the heart of the SoBro (“South of Broadway”) neighborhood, surrounded by hotels, restaurants, and music venues. From this station, you can catch Jefferson Lines, Greyhound, Miller Transportation, and Amtrak Thruway buses offering trips to destinations throughout the United States. To make traveling stress-free, this station is open 24 hours a day and includes restrooms, vending machines, and charging stations for your phone.
All bus stations in Nashville:
Greyhound: Bus Station
Where does the bus arrive in Iowa City?
Main arrival station: Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St
The Burlington Trailways Station in Iowa City is part of the Court St Transportation Center near downtown. Buses usually board outside the multi-story parking garage on Court Street. The station includes a large indoor waiting area with seating, restrooms, and even a charging station for your devices. You can walk to three hotels, a sushi restaurant, a Mexican restaurant, a Starbucks, and a bar in the immediate area, so you definitely won't have to travel hungry or thirsty. Greyhound and Burlington Trailways buses depart from this station and connect Iowa City to Des Moines, Chicago, Omaha, and more cities throughout the Midwest.
All bus stations in Iowa City:
Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St
731 S Riverside Dr
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Iowa City to Nashville?
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