Next bus departures
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc. | Bus | Chicago 95Th & Dan Ryan | Des Moines | Cheapest | ||||
 | Bus | Downtown Greyhound Station | Des Moines | Fastest | ||||
| Bus | Downtown Greyhound Station | Des Moines | No tags | ||||
FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc. | Bus | Chicago 95Th & Dan Ryan | Des Moines | No tags |
Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 10:25 AM CST.
Get from Chicago to Des Moines
The journey takes about 8 hours 25 minutes and with fares starting at just $46, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Where are the popular stops in Chicago and Des Moines?
Stops in Chicago
- A630 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- C
Polk St & Canal St
500-536 W Polk St, Chicago IL 60607, USA - D
Tornado Bus S Kedzie Ave
2807 S Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60623, USA - E
Cumberland CTA
5800 N Cumberland Ave, Chicago, IL 60631, USA - F
Turimex California Ave
2139 S California Ave, Chicago, IL 60608, USA
Stops in Des Moines
- A
Jefferson/Trailways Depot
1501 2nd Ave North, Des Moines, IA 50314 - B
1514 East Grand Ave
1514 East Grand Avenue,, Des Moins, IA, 50316
Compare bus companies
Frequently asked questions about traveling from Chicago to Des Moines by bus
Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.
How much is the bus ticket from Chicago to Des Moines?
The cheapest bus tickets from Chicago to Des Moines start from $46. The average price for this route is around $67. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.
How long is the bus ride from Chicago to Des Moines?
The average bus trip duration from Chicago to Des Moines is 8h 25m, covering a distance of 307 miles (495 km). The quickest bus can get you there in 6h and is operated by Jefferson Lines.
Which bus companies service the Chicago to Des Moines route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 7 buses available per day, including services from Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Burlington Trailways, FlixBus.
What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from Chicago to Des Moines?
The earliest bus departs from Chicago to Des Moines at 5:25am. And the latest bus departs at 11:50pm.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Chicago to Des Moines?
A bus trip from Chicago to Des Moines generates an estimated 12 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and recommended mode of travel by Busbud.
What is the best bus company from Chicago to Des Moines?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Burlington Trailways, with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 20 reviews.
Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Chicago to Des Moines?
Based on reviews on Busbud, the bus company Burlington Trailways has the best Wi-Fi rating with a score of 5.0.
Which bus company has the most timely service from Chicago to Des Moines?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most timely bus company on this route is Burlington Trailways, with a punctuality rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.
Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Chicago to Des Moines?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Burlington Trailways, with a cleanliness rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.
Find cheapest prices for buses
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
The cheapest trip from Chicago to Des Moines was searched and found on Dec 30, 2025 with a price of $58To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Chicago to Des Moines, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $58 to $156 for a bus ticket from Chicago to Des Moines based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $58 which is on 2025-12-30.
