Is there a way to reach Minneapolis from Des Moines without a car?

The bus is the best choice to get to Minneapolis without a car. The bus provides a cost-effective, safe, and easy way to travel 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 Minneapolis from Des Moines by bus?

The travel time from Des Moines to Minneapolis is about 6h 50m, but the fastest bus can get you there in about 4h 55m. This is the time it takes to travel the 234 miles (378 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the distance between Des Moines and Minneapolis?

About 234 miles (378 km) separate Des Moines and Minneapolis.

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

If you're headed to Minneapolis from Des Moines, chances are that your bus will leave from Jefferson/Trailways Depot and arrive at Greyhound Station. These are the most popular pick-up and drop-off locations on this route, but you could find others that could be a better fit for your travel plans.

What is the most cost-effective way to travel from Des Moines to Minneapolis?

You can save a lot of money on your trip from Des Moines to Minneapolis by choosing to travel by bus. The lowest tickets for this trip cost as little as $69.

What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Des Moines to Minneapolis?

The average price of a one-way ticket from Des Moines to Minneapolis is $111. In the past 30 days, prices have fluctuated between $69 and $156, so it's best to compare them to make sure you get the best deal.

What are the best sights and things to do in Minneapolis?

Once in Minneapolis, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are St Paul Curling Club, Mill City Museum, Walker Art Center, Minnehaha Falls and Guthrie Theater.

Des Moines to Minneapolis Bus Tickets

TodayMay 23

TomorrowMay 24

SunMay 25

MonMay 26

from $69

TueMay 27

WedMay 28

ThuMay 29

FriMay 30

Cheap buses leaving Monday

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest
Departure time: May 26 at 4:20am
Departure city: Des Moines
Departure location: Des Moines
Arrival time: May 26 at 10:40am
Destination city: Minneapolis
Destination location: Minneapolis (U of MN - Huron Blvd)
Operated by: Jefferson Lines
Vehicle: BusDuration: 6h 20m
This trip is recommended because it is: Fastest
Departure time: May 26 at 4:20am
Departure city: Des Moines
Departure location: Des Moines
Arrival time: May 26 at 9:15am
Destination city: Minneapolis
Destination location: Minneapolis
Operated by: Jefferson Lines
Vehicle: BusDuration: 4h 55m
Departure time: May 26 at 5:30am
Departure city: Des Moines
Departure location: Des Moines (Subway)
Arrival time: May 26 at 11:55pm
Destination city: Minneapolis
Destination location: Minneapolis Bus Station
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 18h 25m
Departure time: May 26 at 12:10pm
Departure city: Des Moines
Departure location: Des Moines
Arrival time: May 26 at 6:25pm
Destination city: Minneapolis
Destination location: Minneapolis (U of MN - Huron Blvd)
Operated by: Jefferson Lines
Vehicle: BusDuration: 6h 15m
Departure time: May 26 at 11:41am
Departure city: Des Moines
Departure location: Des Moines, (IA - Diversity Insurance/Seguros Mundo Latino)
Arrival time: May 26 at 6:31pm
Destination city: Minneapolis
Destination location: Lake St & Bloomington Ave
Operated by: Expreso
Vehicle: BusDuration: 6h 50m

Accepted payments

Bus Des Moines to Minneapolis: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$111

Average bus trip duration6h 50m

Number of daily buses3

Earliest bus departure4:20am

Distance232 miles (374 km)

Latest bus departure11:30pm

Compare bus companies

Jefferson Lines

4/5750 reviews

Staff5

Timeliness5

Cleanliness5

Wifi3.4

Founded in 1919, Jefferson Lines provides bus services across the Midwest in the US. Their buses have WiFi, USB plugs, bathrooms, reclining seats, reading lights and GPS tracking. Tickets are non-refundable, but you can change the date by paying a fee. Known for their affordable prices and convenient schedules, if you're looking to travel in the Midwest, Jefferson Lines is the way to go.

Jefferson Lines Des Moines Minneapolis recent customer reviews

AWFUL customer service in des moines. The manager Thomas is rude and disrespectful and did not show up at his time for his shift. As well as an older white gentlemen working there who would not tell me him name. He was quite rude as well. The bus station was locked and I had to stand in the freezing cold for an hour downtown alone. He felt no remorse did not apologize and was completely disrespectful. Honestly worst service I have ever had in my life. The bus drivers on the other hand were good and had no issues with them. Just issues with the workers at the Des Moines station.

Domonique N.

January 19, 2020

Got to my destination on time, maybe even a bit early. Arrived in one piece lol that's all that matters.

Nickolas B.

January 12, 2020

Bryant aka bear, was great. He got us safely where we needed to go. He has a wonderful personality and If I ride again I hope he’s my driver.

Eric C.

January 18, 2019

Tornado Bus

3/5127 reviews

Staff5

Timeliness1.7

Cleanliness5

Wifi2.5

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 $111.00 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.

Tornado Bus Des Moines Minneapolis recent customer reviews

In addition to the bus being 3.5 hours late, the customer service both on the phone and the lack of security from the bus drivers were vertually non existent. The phone rep was very inexperienced in answering our questions and unprofessional in his interaction with us example: “ah, ok bye”, is not way a business says goodbye to a customer... While the ride on the bus was overall fine, the bus pick up and drop off stations was literally a curb side pickup and drop off. No sign and no representative to meet at an office or enclosure to ask questions or have a safe place to wait when your bus is half a day late to their location. Overall my wife and I had a poor experience, even by low expectation standards. We will not be using this service again.

Ryan J.

July 22, 2018

My 7:45am bus arrived at 9:15am, whenever everyone (including the drivers) departed to buy and consume tamales. We didn't leave until 9:45pm, a full two hours late. The direct route promised was not followed; we got off the main highways to take a very time-consuming trip to a smaller town to let one person off. In total, we were 3 hours late arriving in Minneapolis. That's not what I signed on for.

Anne G.

July 8, 2018

They were over an hour late and did not notify me at all- the pickup locations were also very strange and unclear.

Annie S.

June 1, 2018

Greyhound

3.5/586,997 reviews

Staff3.6

Timeliness2.8

Cleanliness3.3

Wifi2.3

Greyhound Lines offers the most comprehensive intercity bus services in the United States. They operate a modern, environmentally friendly fleet that serves more than 2400 destinations and carries nearly 16 million passengers annually. When traveling with them, you can expect free WiFi, onboard entertainment, bathrooms, power outlets and decent legroom. One of the great perks of Greyhound is that they connect big cities and smaller towns in the US, where you usually can't get to by train or plane. If you're looking for safe and affordable transportation, Greyhound is a great choice.

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

Des Moines to Minneapolis Bus

Busbud helps you find a bus from Des Moines to Minneapolis. Get the best fare and schedule, book a round trip ticket or find buses with WiFi and electrical outlets.

Bus service from Des Moines to Minneapolis will be provided by the most trusted bus companies.

From cheap bus tickets to more luxurious buses traveling from Des Moines to Minneapolis, we offer a wide range of bus services to best suit your needs depending on how much your budget is.

Where are the popular stops in Des Moines and Minneapolis?

Stops in Des Moines

A - Jefferson/Trailways Depot

B - 1514 East Grand Ave

Stops in Minneapolis

A - Greyhound Station

B - MSP Airport

Frequently asked questions for your trip Des Moines - Minneapolis

Is there a way to reach Minneapolis from Des Moines without a car?
How long does it take to get to Minneapolis from Des Moines by bus?
What is the distance between Des Moines and Minneapolis?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Des Moines to Minneapolis?
What is the most cost-effective way to travel from Des Moines to Minneapolis?
What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Des Moines to Minneapolis?
What are the best sights and things to do in Minneapolis?

Find cheapest prices for buses

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

Best price found

05/21

No data

05/22

No data

Today

No data

05/24

No data

05/25

No data

05/26

$67

05/27

$125

05/28

No data

The cheapest trip from Des Moines to Minneapolis was searched and found on May 26, 2025 with a price of $67

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

You can expect to pay from $67 to $125 for a bus ticket from Des Moines to Minneapolis based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $67 which is on 2025-05-26.

Usually Expreso 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.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Make friends with the driver. They usually know a lot about your destination and may even recommend which side of the bus to sit on to get the best views on the road between Des Moines and Minneapolis!

Much more than a mere vehicle taking you from Des Moines to Minneapolis, riding the bus will expose you to some of the most stunning panoramas while enroute to your final bus stop.

Taking the bus creates the smallest carbon footprint compared to other modes of transport. Not to mention that buses will allow you to discover scenic gems from Des Moines to Minneapolis that are otherwise impossible to come by with a plane.

Create your own real life musical score by curating a personalized bus travel playlist - the perfect accompaniment to your bus ride from Des Moines to Minneapolis.

Did you know?

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.

The word 'bus' is an abbreviation of 'omnibus" which means 'for all' in Latin as buses were meant to be transportation for everybody.

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.

Will you be returning to Des Moines by bus?

Bus from Des Moines to Minneapolis

Top traveled bus routes

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Busbud helps you easily search, compare and book intercity bus tickets on a worldwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. Use Busbud to book your trip online, in your own language and currency, wherever you are. Busbud prides itself on its worldwide partnerships. We make it possible for you to buy tickets with its large network of trustworthy bus partners like Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.

Bus Tickets from Des Moines to Minneapolis

Cheap buses leaving Monday

One passenger / one way

Bus Des Moines to Minneapolis: Trip Overview

Compare bus companies

Jefferson Lines Des Moines Minneapolis recent customer reviews

Tornado Bus Des Moines Minneapolis recent customer reviews

Des Moines to Minneapolis Bus

Where are the popular stops in Des Moines and Minneapolis?

Frequently asked questions for your trip Des Moines - Minneapolis

Is there a way to reach Minneapolis from Des Moines without a car?

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

What is the distance between Des Moines and Minneapolis?

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

What is the most cost-effective way to travel from Des Moines to Minneapolis?

What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Des Moines to Minneapolis?

What are the best sights and things to do in Minneapolis?

Find cheapest prices for buses

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Did you know?

Will you be returning to Des Moines 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 Des Moines

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Popular Buses Connecting Minneapolis

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