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How to get fromAmes to Elkhartby shuttle, plane, bus (Greyhound, Amtrak), bus, train, car, or taxi

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There are 9 ways to get from Ames to Elkhart by shuttle, plane, bus (Greyhound, Amtrak), bus, train, car, or taxi

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Shuttle to Des Moines, fly to South Bend

    best
    1. Take a shuttle bus from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IAshuttle bus
    2. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to South Bend (SBN)plane plane DSM - SBN
    5h 50m
    $257–1,010

  2. Drive 422.8 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Ames to Elkhartcar car 422.8 mi
    8h 7m
    $78–112

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Ames to Des Moinesbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Chicago Union Station to Elkhart Amtrak Stationbus bus
    11h 48m
    $105–182

  4. Bus, train via Saint Paul

    1. Take the bus from Ames to St. Paulbus bus
    2. Take the train from St. Paul-Minneapolis to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    3. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Elkhart Amtrak Stationtrain train
    15h 26m
    $219–417

  5. Shuttle to Des Moines, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, train

    1. Take a shuttle bus from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IAshuttle bus
    2. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane plane DSM - ORD
    3. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Elkhart Amtrak Stationtrain train
    7h 8m
    $169–630

  6. Shuttle to Des Moines, fly to Chicago Midway International Airport, train

    1. Take a shuttle bus from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IAshuttle bus
    2. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)plane plane DSM - MDW
    3. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Elkhart Amtrak Stationtrain train
    6h 45m
    $182–703

  7. Taxi to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, train

    1. Take the taxi from Ames to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)taxi taxi
    2. Fly from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane plane FOD - ORD
    3. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Elkhart Amtrak Stationtrain train
    6h 40m
    $212–491

  8. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Ames to Des Moinesbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    3. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Elkhart Amtrak Stationtrain train
    11h 48m
    $100–192

  9. Bus, train #2

    1. Take the bus from Ames to Des Moinesbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Des Moines to Galesburgbus bus
    3. Take the train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    4. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Elkhart Amtrak Stationtrain train
    12h 59m
    $130–262

Des Moines (DSM) to South Bend (SBN) flights

Calendar84Weekly Planes
Duration5h 10mAverage Duration
Ticket$123Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Ames to Elkhart.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 439 mi
  • Duration: 5h 50m

What companies run services between Ames, IA, USA and Elkhart, IN, USA?

You can take a bus from Ames to Elkhart Amtrak Station via Des Moines, Chicago Bus Station, and Chicago Union Station in around 11h 48m.

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