There are 8 ways to get from Des Moines to East Lansing by plane, bus, train, car, bus (Greyhound, Amtrak), 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.
Fly to Capital Region International Airport
best- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Capital Region International Airport (LAN)plane DSM - LAN
5h 15m$83–387Bus, train
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0155S / ...
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to East Lansing Amtrak Stationtrain Blue Water
13h 35m$177–278Bus, 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 East Lansing Amtrak Stationtrain
13h 41m$235–378Drive 534.1 mi
- Drive from Des Moines to East Lansingcar 534.1 mi
8h 56m$92–132Fly to Detroit, bus
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Detroit (DTW)plane DSM - DTW
- Take the bus from Detroit Metro Airport to East Lansing, MIbus
5h 19m$120–612Fly to Bishop International Airport, train
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Bishop International Airport (FNT)plane DSM - FNT
- Take the train from Flint Amtrak Station to East Lansing Amtrak Stationtrain
6h 48m$142–475Bus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0155S / ...
- Take the bus from Chicago Union Station to East Lansing Amtrak Stationbus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
13h 40mBus via Kalamazoo
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Kalamazoo Bus Stopbus
- Take the bus from Kalamazoo to East Lansingbus
17h 50m$122–201
Des Moines to East Lansing by bus, foot, and train
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Des Moines to East Lansing is to drive which costs $90 - $140 and takes 8h 56m.
The fastest way to get from Des Moines to East Lansing is to fly which takes 5h 15m and costs $80 - $390.
No, there is no direct bus from Des Moines to East Lansing. However, there are services departing from Des Moines and arriving at EBD Gr. River past Abbot Rd via Chicago Union Station and NBD Harrison past Service. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 13h 40m.
The distance between Des Moines and East Lansing is 491 miles. The road distance is 537.2 miles.
The best way to get from Des Moines to East Lansing without a car is to bus and train which takes 13h 35m and costs $170 - $280.
It takes approximately 5h 15m to get from Des Moines to East Lansing, including transfers.
Des Moines to East Lansing bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Des Moines station.
The best way to get from Des Moines to East Lansing is to fly which takes 5h 15m and costs $80 - $390. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs and takes 13h 40m.
Des Moines to East Lansing bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Chicago Bus Station.
East Lansing is 1h ahead of Des Moines. It is currently 8:41 PM in Des Moines and 9:41 PM in East Lansing.
What companies run services between Des Moines, IA, USA and East Lansing, MI, USA?
Delta, American Airlines, and United Airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Capital Region International Airport (LAN) 5 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Des Moines to EBD Gr. River past Abbot Rd via Chicago Bus Station, Chicago Union Station, East Lansing Amtrak Station, and NBD Harrison past Service in around 13h 40m.
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Des Moines to Capital Region International Airport via Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 57m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $65–380
Flights from Des Moines to Capital Region International Airport via Minneapolis, Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 42m
- When
- Monday to Saturday
- Estimated price
- $80–420
Flights from Des Moines to Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 46m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $90–550
Flights from Des Moines to Detroit via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 4h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–600
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Des Moines to Capital Region International Airport via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 24m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $60–360
Flights from Des Moines to Capital Region International Airport via Reagan Washington
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 42m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $110–550
Flights from Des Moines to Bishop International Airport via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 43m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $60–360
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Des Moines to Detroit via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 18m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $90–550
Flights from Des Moines to Bishop International Airport via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 49m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $60–360
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Des Moines to Detroit via Chicago Midway
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $90–550
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Chicago Union Station to East Lansing Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 55m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $110–180
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $85–140
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Chicago Union Station to East Lansing Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 55m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $110–180
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Flint Amtrak Station to East Lansing Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 14m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $26–45
- Website
- Amtrak
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 5m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $65–100
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Des Moines to Galesburg
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $35–60
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 5m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $65–100
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 5m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $65–100
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Kalamazoo Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $27–40
- Website
- Greyhound
- Phone
- +1 517-333-0400
- [email protected]
- Website
- Michigan Flyer
Bus from Detroit Metro Airport to East Lansing, MI
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 5m
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Estimated price
- $9–35
- Website
- Michigan Flyer
- Child 2-16
- $9–11
- Adult
- $22–35
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Bus from Chicago Union Station to East Lansing Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 989-725-5105
- Website
- Indian Trails
Bus from Kalamazoo to East Lansing
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 50m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–65
- Website
- Indian Trails
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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Booking & Getting There
Yes, the driving distance between Des Moines to East Lansing is 537 miles. It takes approximately 8h 56m to drive from Des Moines to East Lansing.
There are 83+ hotels available in East Lansing.






