There are 10 ways to get from Des Moines to Altoona by plane, train, bus, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), car, or bus (Flixbus, Greyhound)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly to Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, train
best- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Johnstown-Cambria County Airport (JST)plane DSM - JST
- Take the train from Johnstown Amtrak Station to Altoona Amtrak Stationtrain
8h 59m$164–714Drive 864.5 mi
cheapest- Drive from Des Moines to Altoonacar 864.5 mi
14h 43m$158–228Bus, train
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicagobus
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Pittsburgh Amtrak Stationtrain
- Take the train from Pittsburgh Amtrak Station to Altoona Amtrak Stationtrain
20h 13m$271–513Bus via Pittsburgh
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicagobus
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Pittsburgh Intermodal Stationbus
- Take the bus from Pittsburgh Intermodal Station to Altoona Bus Stationbus
21h 50m$196–318Fly to Penn State University Park Airport, bus
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Penn State University Park Airport (SCE)plane DSM - SCE
- Take the bus from State College Bus Station to Altoona Bus Stationbus
7h 56m$183–721Fly to Pittsburgh International Airport, train
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)plane DSM - PIT
- Take the train from Pittsburgh Amtrak Station to Altoona Amtrak Stationtrain
8h 51m$183–796Fly to Philadelphia International Airport, train
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)plane DSM - PHL
- Take the train from 30th Street Station to Altoona Amtrak Stationtrain
8h 40m$296–1,184Fly to Altoona–Blair County Airport
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Altoona–Blair County Airport (AOO)plane DSM - AOO
10h$233–881Bus, train via Galesburg
- 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 Pittsburgh Amtrak Stationtrain
- Take the train from Pittsburgh Amtrak Station to Altoona Amtrak Stationtrain
22h 19m$290–581Bus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicagobus
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to State College Regional Airportbus
- Take the bus from State College Bus Station to Altoona Bus Stationbus
22h 44m$251–358
Des Moines to Altoona by bus, foot, and train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Des Moines to Altoona is to drive which costs $150 - $230 and takes 14h 43m.
The fastest way to get from Des Moines to Altoona is to fly and bus which takes 7h 56m and costs $180 - $750.
No, there is no direct bus from Des Moines to Altoona station. However, there are services departing from Des Moines and arriving at Altoona Bus Station via Chicago Bus Station and Pittsburgh Intermodal Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 21h 50m.
The distance between Des Moines and Altoona is 831 miles. The road distance is 869.6 miles.
The best way to get from Des Moines to Altoona without a car is to bus and train which takes 20h 13m and costs $270 - $550.
It takes approximately 8h 59m to get from Des Moines to Altoona, including transfers.
Des Moines to Altoona bus services, operated by Jefferson Lines, depart from Des Moines station.
The best way to get from Des Moines to Altoona is to bus via Pittsburgh which takes 21h 50m and costs $190 - $320. Alternatively, you can fly, which costs $230 - $900 and takes 10h.
Des Moines to Altoona bus services, operated by Jefferson Lines, arrive at Chicago station.
Altoona is 1h ahead of Des Moines. It is currently 4:09 PM in Des Moines and 5:09 PM in Altoona.
What companies run services between Des Moines, IA, USA and Altoona, PA, USA?
You can take a bus from Des Moines to Altoona Bus Station via Chicago Bus Station and Pittsburgh Intermodal Station in around 21h 50m. Alternatively, American Airlines, Corporate Flight Management Inc, and three other airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Altoona–Blair County Airport (AOO) every 4 hours.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Des Moines to Johnstown-Cambria County Airport via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 10h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–650
Flights from Des Moines to Johnstown-Cambria County Airport via Nashville, Washington Dulles
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 43m
- When
- Thursday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $170–750
Flights from Des Moines to Johnstown-Cambria County Airport via Philadelphia International Airport, Washington Dulles
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 2m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $170–800
Flights from Des Moines to Penn State University Park Airport via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 11m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–650
Flights from Des Moines to Pittsburgh International Airport via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 36m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–700
Flights from Des Moines to Philadelphia International Airport via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 14m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200–1,000
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Des Moines to Penn State University Park Airport via Philadelphia International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 26m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Des Moines to Penn State University Park Airport via Charlotte
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 18m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–800
Flights from Des Moines to Pittsburgh International Airport via Charlotte
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 39m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $190–900
Flights from Des Moines to Pittsburgh International Airport via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 11m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–700
Flights from Des Moines to Pittsburgh International Airport via Reagan Washington
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 55m
- When
- Sunday and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $180–850
Flights from Des Moines to Philadelphia International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 38m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200–1,000
Flights from Des Moines to Philadelphia International Airport via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200–1,000
Flights from Des Moines to Philadelphia International Airport via Charlotte
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 20m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $250–1,100
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Des Moines to Pittsburgh International Airport via Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $140–700
Flights from Des Moines to Pittsburgh International Airport via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 57m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–800
Flights from Des Moines to Pittsburgh International Airport via Atlanta
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 34m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200–900
Flights from Des Moines to Philadelphia International Airport via Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 56m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $210–1,000
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Des Moines to Pittsburgh International Airport via Chicago Midway
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–700
Flights from Des Moines to Philadelphia International Airport via Chicago Midway
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 56m
- When
- Monday to Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $200–1,000
- Website
- contouraviation.com
Flights from Des Moines to Altoona–Blair County Airport via Charlotte
- Ave. Duration
- 13h 45m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $170–800
Flights from Des Moines to Altoona–Blair County Airport via Chicago O'Hare, Charlotte
- Ave. Duration
- 12h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $180–800
Flights from Des Moines to Altoona–Blair County Airport via Minneapolis, Charlotte
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 20m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $210–900
Flights from Des Moines to Altoona–Blair County Airport via Chicago Midway, Charlotte
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 5m
- When
- Tuesday
- Estimated price
- $180–800
Flights from Des Moines to Altoona–Blair County Airport via Detroit, Charlotte
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 15m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $190–850
Flights from Des Moines to Altoona–Blair County Airport via Atlanta, Charlotte
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 35m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $180–850
- Website
- allegiantair.com
Flights from Des Moines to Philadelphia International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 16m
- When
- Thursday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $200–1,000
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Johnstown Amtrak Station to Altoona Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 54 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $12–25
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Chicago Union Station to Pittsburgh Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $150–320
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Pittsburgh Amtrak Station to Altoona Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 29m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $35–75
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Pittsburgh Amtrak Station to Altoona Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 29m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $35–75
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from 30th Street Station to Altoona Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $75–160
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
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 Pittsburgh Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $150–320
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Pittsburgh Amtrak Station to Altoona Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 29m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $35–75
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1-858-800-8898
- Website
- jeffersonlines.com
Bus from Des Moines to Chicago
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 10m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $85–120
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Adult
- $85–120
Bus from Des Moines to Chicago
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 10m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $85–120
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Adult
- $85–120
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Pittsburgh Intermodal Station
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 10m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $110–160
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Adult
- $110–160
Bus from Pittsburgh Intermodal Station to Altoona Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $35–50
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Adult
- $35–50
Bus from State College Bus Station to Altoona Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 55 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $21–30
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Adult
- $21–30
Bus from Des Moines to Galesburg
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $55–80
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Adult
- $55–80
Bus from Des Moines to Chicago
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 10m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $85–120
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Adult
- $85–120
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to State College Regional Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 14h 5m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $130–190
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Adult
- $130–190
Bus from State College Bus Station to Altoona Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 55 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $21–30
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Adult
- $21–30
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Pittsburgh Intermodal Station
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 25m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $80–150
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Pittsburgh Intermodal Station to Altoona Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $18–35
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from State College Bus Station to Altoona Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 55 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $6–13
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from State College Bus Station to Altoona Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 55 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $6–13
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.com
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Pittsburgh Intermodal Station
- Ave. Duration
- 11h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $75–130
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to State College Regional Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 25m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $95–160
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
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More Questions & Answers
Yes, the driving distance between Des Moines to Altoona is 870 miles. It takes approximately 14h 43m to drive from Des Moines to Altoona.
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