There are 7 ways to get from Charlotte to Des Moines by plane, bus (Greyhound), train, bus, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly
best- Fly from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Des Moines (DSM)plane CLT - DSM
4h 3m$105–475Bus
- Take the bus from Charlotte Bus Station to Columbus - Mound Stbus
- Take the bus from Columbus to Indianapolis Union Stationbus
- Take the bus from Indianapolis Union Station to Des Moinesbus
26h 45m$173–282Train, bus
- Take the train from Charlotte Amtrak Station to Charlottesvilletrain
- Take the train from Charlottesville to Indianapolistrain
- Take the bus from Indianapolis Union Station to Des Moinesbus
32h 36m$285–634Drive 1,030 mi
- Drive from Charlotte to Des Moinescar 1,030 mi
17h 42m$188–272Bus via Chicago
- Take the bus from Charlotte to Columbusbus
- Take the bus from N Wilson Rd & Ferrell Pl - Columbus to Chicagobus
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus
26h 50m$129–265Train, bus via Chicago
- Take the train from Charlotte Amtrak Station to Carytrain
- Take the train from Cary to Chicago Union Stationtrain
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus
36h 52m$351–831Train, bus via Galesburg
- Take the train from Charlotte Amtrak Station to Raleigh Union Stationtrain
- Take the train from Raleigh Union Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Galesburg Amtrak Stationtrain
- Take the bus from Galesburg to Des Moinesbus
38h 15m$373–901
Charlotte to Des Moines by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Charlotte to Des Moines is to bus which costs $170 - $290 and takes 26h 45m.
The fastest way to get from Charlotte to Des Moines is to fly which takes 4h 3m and costs $100 - $480.
No, there is no direct bus from Charlotte station to Des Moines. However, there are services departing from Charlotte Bus Station and arriving at Des Moines via Columbus and Indianapolis Union Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 26h 45m.
The distance between Charlotte and Des Moines is 832 miles. The road distance is 1036 miles.
The best way to get from Charlotte to Des Moines without a car is to bus which takes 26h 45m and costs $170 - $290.
It takes approximately 4h 3m to get from Charlotte to Des Moines, including transfers.
Charlotte to Des Moines bus services, operated by Barons Bus, depart from Charlotte Bus Station.
The best way to get from Charlotte to Des Moines is to fly which takes 4h 3m and costs $100 - $480. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $170 - $290 and takes 26h 45m.
Charlotte to Des Moines bus services, operated by Barons Bus, arrive at Columbus - Mound St station.
Des Moines is 1h behind Charlotte. It is currently 3:40 AM in Charlotte and 2:40 AM in Des Moines.
What companies run services between Charlotte, NC, USA and Des Moines, IA, USA?
American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and two other airlines fly from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Des Moines (DSM) every 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Charlotte Bus Station to Des Moines via Columbus and Indianapolis Union Station in around 26h 45m.
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Charlotte Douglas International Airport to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 37m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $85–450
Flights from Charlotte Douglas International Airport to Des Moines via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $90–470
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Charlotte Amtrak Station to Charlottesville
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 23m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $65–160
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Charlottesville to Indianapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 15h 23m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $150–360
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Charlotte Amtrak Station to Cary
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 1m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $40–100
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Cary to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 25h 12m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $260–650
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Charlotte Amtrak Station to Raleigh Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 16m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $40–110
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Raleigh Union Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 24h 28m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $260–650
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Chicago Union Station to Galesburg Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 36m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $40–95
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 888-378-3823
- [email protected]
- Website
- Barons Bus
Bus from Charlotte Bus Station to Columbus - Mound St
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $45–100
- Website
- Barons Bus
Bus from Charlotte to Columbus
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 5m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $45–100
- Website
- Barons Bus
Bus from N Wilson Rd & Ferrell Pl - Columbus to Chicago
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 15m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $30–80
- Website
- Barons Bus
Want to know more about travelling around United States
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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Booking & Getting There
Yes, the driving distance between Charlotte to Des Moines is 1036 miles. It takes approximately 17h 42m to drive from Charlotte to Des Moines.
Book your Charlotte to Des Moines bus tickets online with Omio and FlixBus.
There are 251+ hotels available in Des Moines.









