There are 5 ways to get from Des Moines to Detroit Lakes by bus, train, car, plane, taxi, or bus (Greyhound)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Bus, train
best- Take the bus from Des Moines to St. Paulbus Jefferson Lines 806 / ...
- Take the train from St. Paul-Minneapolis to Detroit Lakes Amtrak Stationtrain Empire Builder
9h 33m$110–209Drive 438.4 mi
cheapest- Drive from Des Moines to Detroit Lakescar 438.4 mi
7h 53m$80–116Fly to Hector International Airport, taxi
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Hector International Airport (FAR)plane DSM - FAR
- Take the taxi from Fargo-Airport-FAR to Detroit Lakestaxi
6h$184–603Bus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Minneapolis Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Minneapolis to Brainerdbus
- Take the bus from Brainerd to Detroit Lakesbus
12h 56m$105–163Fly to Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport, bus
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport (BRD)plane DSM - BRD
- Take the bus from Brainerd to Detroit Lakesbus
8h 45m$134–533
Des Moines to Detroit Lakes by bus and train
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Des Moines to Detroit Lakes is to drive which costs $80 - $120 and takes 7h 53m.
The fastest way to get from Des Moines to Detroit Lakes is to fly and taxi which takes 6h and costs $180 - $650.
No, there is no direct bus from Des Moines to Detroit Lakes. However, there are services departing from Des Moines and arriving at Detroit Lakes via Minneapolis and Brainerd. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 12h 56m.
The distance between Des Moines and Detroit Lakes is 456 miles. The road distance is 440.9 miles.
The best way to get from Des Moines to Detroit Lakes without a car is to bus and train which takes 9h 33m and costs $110 - $210.
It takes approximately 9h 33m to get from Des Moines to Detroit Lakes, including transfers.
Des Moines to Detroit Lakes bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Des Moines station.
Des Moines to Detroit Lakes bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Minneapolis Bus Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Des Moines to Detroit Lakes is 441 miles. It takes approximately 7h 53m to drive from Des Moines to Detroit Lakes.
There are 33+ hotels available in Detroit Lakes.
What companies run services between Des Moines, IA, USA and Detroit Lakes, MN, USA?
You can take a bus from Des Moines to Detroit Lakes via Minneapolis and Brainerd in around 12h 56m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Des Moines to Hector International Airport via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 33m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–600
Flights from Des Moines to Hector International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 56m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–700
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from St. Paul-Minneapolis to Detroit Lakes Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 53m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $45–120
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1-858-800-8898
- Website
- jeffersonlines.com
Bus from Des Moines to St. Paul
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 40m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $60–90
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $60–90
Bus from Minneapolis to Brainerd
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $35–55
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $35–55
Bus from Brainerd to Detroit Lakes
- Ave. Duration
- 2h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–45
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $30–45
Bus from Brainerd to Detroit Lakes
- Ave. Duration
- 2h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–45
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $30–45
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- Estimated price
- $90–110
Doyle's Yellow Checker Cab
- Phone
- +1 701-235-5535
Lucky 7 Taxi
- Phone
- +1 701-235-1717
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