Rome2Rio

How to get fromDes Moines to East Lansingby plane, bus, train, car, bus (Greyhound, Amtrak), or bus (Greyhound)

Find Transport to East Lansing

See all options

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.

  1. Fly to Capital Region International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Capital Region International Airport (LAN)plane plane DSM - LAN
    5h 15m
    $83–387
  2. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus Greyhound US0155S / ...
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to East Lansing Amtrak Stationtrain train Blue Water
    13h 35m
    $177–278
  3. Bus, train via Galesburg

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Galesburgbus bus
    2. Take the train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    3. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to East Lansing Amtrak Stationtrain train
    13h 41m
    $235–378
  4. Drive  534.1 mi

    1. Drive from Des Moines to East Lansingcar car 534.1 mi
    8h 56m
    $92–132
  5. Fly to Detroit, bus

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Detroit (DTW)plane plane DSM - DTW
    2. Take the bus from Detroit Metro Airport to East Lansing, MIbus bus
    5h 19m
    $120–612
  6. Fly to Bishop International Airport, train

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Bishop International Airport (FNT)plane plane DSM - FNT
    2. Take the train from Flint Amtrak Station to East Lansing Amtrak Stationtrain train
    6h 48m
    $142–475
  7. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus Greyhound US0155S / ...
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Union Station to East Lansing Amtrak Stationbus bus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
    13h 40m
  8. Bus via Kalamazoo

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Kalamazoo Bus Stopbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Kalamazoo to East Lansingbus bus
    17h 50m
    $122–201

Des Moines to East Lansing by bus, foot, and train

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration13h 35mAverage Duration
Ticket$177Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

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.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

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.

Related travel guides

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound

Booking & Getting There