There are 12 ways to get from Ames to Grand Rapids by shuttle, plane, bus (Greyhound, Amtrak), bus, train, car, taxi, or bus (Greyhound, Flixbus)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Shuttle to Des Moines, fly to Gerald R. Ford International Airport
best- Take a shuttle bus from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IA
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)plane DSM - GRR
7h 9m$236–1,094Drive 494.7 mi
cheapest- Drive from Ames to Grand Rapidscar 494.7 mi
8h 59m$91–131Bus
- Take the bus from Ames to Des Moinesbus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Stationbus
14h 3m$135–222Bus, train via Galesburg
- Take the bus from Ames to Des Moinesbus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Galesburgbus
- Take the train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Stationtrain
15h 14m$155–322Taxi to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, fly to Gerald R. Ford International Airport
- Take the taxi from Ames to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)taxi
- Fly from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)plane FOD - GRR
7h 37m$249–775Shuttle to Des Moines, fly to Chicago Midway International Airport, train
- Take a shuttle bus from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IA
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)plane DSM - MDW
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Stationtrain
9h$212–768Shuttle to Des Moines, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, train
- Take a shuttle bus from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IA
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane DSM - ORD
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Stationtrain
9h 23m$199–695Shuttle to Des Moines, fly to Muskegon, taxi
- Take a shuttle bus from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IA
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Muskegon (MKG)plane DSM - MKG
- Take the taxi from Muskegon (MKG) to Grand Rapidstaxi
5h 57m$237–730Bus to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, fly to Gerald R. Ford International Airport
- Take the bus from Ames to MSP Airportbus
- Fly from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) to Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)plane MSP - GRR
8h 17m$171–733Bus, train
- Take the bus from Ames to Des Moinesbus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Stationtrain
14h 3m$125–247Bus via South Haven
- Take the bus from Ames to Des Moinesbus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to South Havenbus
- Take the bus from South Haven Potatoes Plus to Greyhound Grand Rapidsbus
14h 20m$100–188Bus, train via Saint Paul
- Take the bus from Ames to St. Paulbus
- Take the train from St. Paul-Minneapolis to Chicago Union Stationtrain
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Stationtrain
17h 41m$244–472
Des Moines (DSM) to Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Ames to Grand Rapids is to drive which costs $90 - $130 and takes 8h 59m.
The fastest way to get from Ames to Grand Rapids is to shuttle and fly and taxi which takes 5h 57m and costs $230 - $750.
No, there is no direct bus from Ames to Grand Rapids station. However, there are services departing from Ames and arriving at Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station via Des Moines and Chicago Union Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 14h 3m.
The distance between Ames and Grand Rapids is 483 miles. The road distance is 497.6 miles.
The best way to get from Ames to Grand Rapids without a car is to bus which takes 14h 3m and costs $130 - $230.
It takes approximately 7h 9m to get from Ames to Grand Rapids, including transfers.
Ames to Grand Rapids bus services, operated by Jefferson Lines, depart from Ames station.
Ames to Grand Rapids bus services, operated by Jefferson Lines, arrive at Des Moines station.
Grand Rapids is 1h ahead of Ames. It is currently 10:18 PM in Ames and 11:18 PM in Grand Rapids.
Yes, the driving distance between Ames to Grand Rapids is 498 miles. It takes approximately 8h 59m to drive from Ames to Grand Rapids.
What companies run services between Ames, IA, USA and Grand Rapids, Kent County, MI, USA?
You can take a bus from Ames to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station via Des Moines, Chicago Bus Station, and Chicago Union Station in around 14h 3m.
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Des Moines to Gerald R. Ford International Airport via Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 11m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $190–1,000
Flights from Des Moines to Gerald R. Ford International Airport via Atlanta
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 56m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $330–1,500
Flights from Des Moines to Gerald R. Ford International Airport via Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 13m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $190–1,000
Flights from Des Moines to Chicago O'Hare International Airport via Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 58m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80–450
Flights from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport to Gerald R. Ford International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 26m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–650
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Des Moines to Gerald R. Ford International Airport via Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $150–900
Flights from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport to Gerald R. Ford International Airport via Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 57m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–600
Flights from Des Moines to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 39m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $60–380
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Des Moines to Gerald R. Ford International Airport via Chicago Midway International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 5m
- When
- Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $150–900
Flights from Des Moines to Chicago Midway International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 19m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $70–450
Flights from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport to Gerald R. Ford International Airport via Chicago Midway International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 35m
- When
- Monday to Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $120–700
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Des Moines to Gerald R. Ford International Airport via Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 8m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $150–900
Flights from Des Moines to Gerald R. Ford International Airport via Reagan Washington
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 55m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $340–1,500
Flights from Des Moines to Gerald R. Ford International Airport via Charlotte
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 15m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $330–1,500
Flights from Des Moines to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $60–380
- Website
- keylimeair.com
Flights from Des Moines to Muskegon via Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 7m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–440
Flights from Des Moines to Muskegon via Atlanta, Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 7m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $170–750
Flights from Des Moines to Muskegon via Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 36m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $100–550
- Website
- allegiantair.com
Flights from Des Moines to Gerald R. Ford International Airport via Nashville
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 10m
- When
- Thursday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $260–1,200
- Website
- suncountry.com
Flights from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport to Gerald R. Ford International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 21m
- When
- Thursday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $110–650
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $50–110
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 4m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $55–120
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 4m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $55–120
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 4m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $55–120
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 4m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $55–120
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from St. Paul-Minneapolis to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 32m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $130–270
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 4m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $55–120
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 320.253.2226
- Website
- executiveexpress.biz
Shuttle from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IA
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $80–190
- Website
- https://www.executiveexpress.biz
- Schedules at
- https://www.executiveexpress.biz/coverage-areas/
Shuttle from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IA
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $80–190
- Website
- https://www.executiveexpress.biz
- Schedules at
- https://www.executiveexpress.biz/coverage-areas/
Shuttle from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IA
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $80–190
- Website
- https://www.executiveexpress.biz
- Schedules at
- https://www.executiveexpress.biz/coverage-areas/
Shuttle from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IA
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $80–190
- Website
- https://www.executiveexpress.biz
- Schedules at
- https://www.executiveexpress.biz/coverage-areas/
- Phone
- +1-858-800-8898
- Website
- jeffersonlines.com
Bus from Ames to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $19–27
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Adult
- $19–27
Bus from Ames to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $19–27
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Adult
- $19–27
Bus from Ames to MSP Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $55–80
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Adult
- $55–80
Bus from Ames to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $19–27
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Adult
- $19–27
Bus from Ames to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $19–27
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Adult
- $19–27
Bus from Ames to St. Paul
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 5m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $55–85
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Adult
- $55–85
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 5m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $50–100
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Des Moines to Galesburg
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–65
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 5m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $50–100
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 5m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $50–100
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Bus from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 4m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $65–95
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.com
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to South Haven
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $19–35
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
- Phone
- +1 989-725-5105
- Website
- indiantrails.com
Bus from South Haven Potatoes Plus to Greyhound Grand Rapids
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $11–26
- Website
- https://indiantrails.com
- Ave. Duration
- 59 min
- Estimated price
- $80–180
Cyclone Cab
- Phone
- +1 515-233-3324
Blue City Taxi
- Phone
- +1 231-780-5466
- Website
- bluecitytransportation.com
Port City Cab
- Phone
- +1 231-739-7161
- Website
- portcitycab.com
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