How can I travel from Ames to Des Moines without a car?

The best way to travel from Ames to Des Moines is by bus. Traveling by bus offers a budget-friendly, secure, and easy way to go between the two cities. Taking a ride with other travelers through carpool services is an additional option to consider.

How long does it take to get to Des Moines from Ames by bus?

The average travel time from Ames to Des Moines is about 50m, although the minimum time it takes to get there is 35m with the fastest bus. This is the time it takes to travel the 30 miles (48 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the travel distance from Ames to Des Moines?

The distance between the two cities is 30 miles (48 km).

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Ames to Des Moines?

The majority of buses traveling from Ames to Des Moines start their journey at Intermodal Facility and wind up at Jefferson/Trailways Depot. These are the main departure and arrival locations on this route, there are other pick-up and drop-off locations that could make it easier for you to reach your destination.

What is the most affordable way to go from Ames to Des Moines?

You can save a lot of money on your trip from Ames to Des Moines by choosing to travel by bus. $21 is the starting point for the cost-effective bus ride to Des Moines from Ames.

How much are the bus tickets from Ames to Des Moines?

The average bus ticket price from Ames to Des Moines is $21. Over the last 30 days, the prices ranged between $21 and $127, so make sure to compare them to get the best option.

Is it possible to take a day trip from Ames to Des Moines?

Yes, you can do a day trip from Ames to Des Moines. The total time it takes to make a round-trip between Ames and Des Moines is about 1h 10m. So you'll have plenty of time to discover Des Moines before making your way back to Ames.

Bus Ames (IA), US to Des Moines from $20 | Compare & Save up to 60%

TodayJun 15

from $21

TomorrowJun 16

TueJun 17

WedJun 18

from $127

ThuJun 19

from $127

FriJun 20

from $127

SatJun 21

from $127

SunJun 22

from $127

Cheap buses leaving Wednesday

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest + Fastest
Departure time: June 18 at 1:50pm
Departure city: Ames
Departure location: Gas Station Phillips 66
Arrival time: June 18 at 3:30pm
Destination city: Des Moines
Destination location: Des Moines, (IA - Diversity Insurance/Seguros Mundo Latino)
Operated by: Expreso
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1h 40m

Accepted payments

Bus Ames to Des Moines: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$21

Average bus trip duration50m

Number of daily buses3

Earliest bus departure3:30am

Distance28 miles (44 km)

Latest bus departure10:20pm

Compare bus companies

Jefferson Lines

4/5751 reviews

Staff5

Timeliness5

Cleanliness5

Wifi3.8

Tornado Bus

3/5130 reviews

Staff5

Timeliness3

Cleanliness5

Wifi3.8

A Texas-based company, Tornado Bus operates throughout the United States, with routes connecting major cities, including Houston, San Antonio and El Paso. Each day,1 buses leave from their terminals to destinations across the continent. Their buses are equipped with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, bathrooms, power outlets and a comfortable amount of legroom. With prices as low as $106.00 for a short ride, Tornado offers options for budget travelers, without compromising comfort. and those looking for a little luxury. The company requires printed tickets for boarding and their tickets are non-refundable, but you can exchange them up to two hours before travel time for a fee. With a friendly staff and multiple routes, traveling with Tornado is a convenient way to get around.

US bus companies: FlixBus, Greyhound, Tornado Bus, Los Limousines, Valley Transit, Tufesa, Wanda Coach

Ames to Des Moines Bus

With Busbud, comparing and booking tickets for a bus from Ames to Des Moines is a breeze. Browse through an extensive selection of bus fares and bus schedules to find the best deals.

We make sure you can find a bus service from Ames to Des Moines from the most reliable bus companies operating this trip.

Whether it is cheap bus tickets or more luxurious buses going to Des Moines from Ames, we help you find what you're looking for based on how much of a budget you have.

Where are the popular stops in Ames and Des Moines?

Stops in Ames

A - Intermodal Facility

Stops in Des Moines

A - Jefferson/Trailways Depot

B - 1514 East Grand Ave

Frequently asked questions for your trip Ames (IA), US - Des Moines

How can I travel from Ames to Des Moines without a car?
How long does it take to get to Des Moines from Ames by bus?
What is the travel distance from Ames to Des Moines?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Ames to Des Moines?
What is the most affordable way to go from Ames to Des Moines?
How much are the bus tickets from Ames to Des Moines?
Is it possible to take a day trip from Ames to Des Moines?

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

06/13

$120

06/14

$120

Today

$20

06/16

No data

06/17

No data

06/18

$120

06/19

$120

06/20

$120

The cheapest trip from Ames to Des Moines was searched and found on Jun 15, 2025 with a price of $20

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Ames to Des Moines, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $20 to $120 for a bus ticket from Ames to Des Moines based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $120 which is on 2025-06-18.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Meet and talk to locals at the bus stations while traveling from Ames to Des Moines.There is no better way to get inside travel information while exploring a new city than to go straight to its people.

Start sightseeing the minute your bus leaves the station. If you're on the night bus from Ames to Des Moines, get comfy and count the stars.

Buses are energy-efficient. Carrying a passenger over 100 kms by coach only takes 0.6-0.9 liters of gas. Compare that to the 2.6 liters required by high-speed train, 6.6 liters by airplane and 7.6 liters by gas-powered car, and it's clear that the bus is a more environmentally-conscious option for your bus transportation from Ames to Des Moines.

Make a music playlist for your bus ride from Ames to Des Moines, and enjoy the scenery to tunes from your own personal soundtrack.

Did you know?

One of the longest bus route in the world goes all the way from Ontario to Alberta in Canada (with the same bus). This trip is 3,435 km or 2,135 miles long and the price is a bit under $100.

It takes 27 hours to go by bus from Lima to Cusco, one of the craziest bus trips on the world. This route is used daily by locals and backpackers.

9.2% of ground transportation in Europe is done by bus versus 7.4% by train.

Will you be returning to Ames by bus?

Bus from Ames to Des Moines

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud.com makes it easy for you to find, compare and book city-to-city bus tickets, all over the world. We save you the extra trip to the bus station. Use Busbud to book your trip online, in your own language and currency, wherever you are. With Busbud, you can buy tickets with confidence. We ensure that you make the most out of your bus trip by partnering up with reliable bus companies from all around the world such as Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.

Bus Tickets from Ames (IA), US to Des Moines

One passenger / one way

Cheap buses leaving Wednesday

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

Bus Ames to Des Moines: Trip Overview

Compare bus companies

Ames to Des Moines Bus

Where are the popular stops in Ames and Des Moines?

Frequently asked questions for your trip Ames (IA), US - Des Moines

How can I travel from Ames to Des Moines without a car?

How long does it take to get to Des Moines from Ames by bus?

What is the travel distance from Ames to Des Moines?

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Ames to Des Moines?

What is the most affordable way to go from Ames to Des Moines?

How much are the bus tickets from Ames to Des Moines?

Is it possible to take a day trip from Ames to Des Moines?

Find cheapest prices for buses

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Did you know?

Will you be returning to Ames by bus?

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

People from around the world trust Busbud

Popular Buses Connecting Ames

Buses Leaving from Ames

Buses Going to Ames

Popular Buses Connecting Des Moines

Buses Leaving from Des Moines

Buses Going to Des Moines

Popular routes in this country

Popular airport transfers