Next bus departures
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bus | Des Moines | Downtown Greyhound Station | CheapestFastest | ||||
| Bus | Des Moines | Downtown Greyhound Station | No tags | ||||
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus | Bus | Des Moines | Chicago 95Th & Dan Ryan | No tags | ||||
| Bus | Des Moines | Downtown Greyhound Station | No tags | ||||
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus | Bus | Des Moines | Chicago 95Th & Dan Ryan | No tags |
Last refresh of the prices: Last Tuesday at 10:50 AM CST.
Get from Des Moines to Chicago
The journey takes about 8 hours 45 minutes, and with fares starting at just $64, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Where are the popular stops in Des Moines and Chicago?
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
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
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Frequently asked questions about travelling from Des Moines to Chicago 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 Des Moines to Chicago?
The cheapest bus tickets from Des Moines to Chicago start from $64. The average price for this route is around $101. 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 Des Moines to Chicago?
The average bus travel time from Des Moines to Chicago is 8h 45m, covering a distance of 495 km. The quickest bus can get you there in 6h and is operated by Jefferson Lines.
Which bus companies service the Des Moines to Chicago route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 6 buses available per day, including services from Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Burlington Trailways.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the bus from Des Moines to Chicago?
The earliest bus departs from Des Moines to Chicago at 12:01am. And the latest bus departs at 11:45pm.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Des Moines to Chicago?
A bus trip from Des Moines to Chicago generates an estimated 12 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and a mode of travel recommended by Busbud.
What is the best bus company from Des Moines to Chicago?
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 Des Moines to Chicago?
Based on Busbud reviews, the bus company Burlington Trailways has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 5.0.
Which bus company has the best on-time performance from Des Moines to Chicago?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual 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 Des Moines to Chicago?
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 Des Moines to Chicago was searched and found on Dec 1, 2025 with a price of $59To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Des Moines to Chicago, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $59 to $225 for a bus ticket from Des Moines to Chicago based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $59 which is on 2025-12-01.
Usually Jefferson Lines will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.
