There are 5 ways to get from Des Moines to Great Falls by plane, bus, train, 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 from Des Moines
best- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Great Falls International Airport (GTF)plane DSM - GTF
5h 15m$209–973Drive to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, fly
cheapest- Drive from Des Moines to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)car
- Fly from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Great Falls International Airport (GTF)plane FOD - GTF
12h 58m$157–775Bus, train
- Take the bus from Des Moines to St. Paulbus
- Take the train from St. Paul-Minneapolis to Shelby Amtrak Stationtrain
- Take the bus from Shelby Amtrak Station to Great Falls Transfer Centerbus
28h 50m$325–739Bus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Minneapolisbus
- Take the bus from Minneapolis to Billingsbus
- Take the bus from Billings to Buttebus
- Take the bus from Butte, MT to Great Falls Transfer Centerbus
30h 25m$330–505Drive 1,146.2 mi
- Drive from Des Moines to Great Fallscar 1,146.2 mi
19h 3m$210–303
Des Moines to Great Falls by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Des Moines to Great Falls is to drive which costs $200 - $310 and takes 19h 3m.
The fastest way to get from Des Moines to Great Falls is to fly which takes 5h 15m and costs $200 - $1,000.
No, there is no direct bus from Des Moines to Great Falls. However, there are services departing from Des Moines and arriving at Great Falls Transfer Center via Minneapolis, Billings and Butte, MT. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 30h 25m.
The distance between Des Moines and Great Falls is 974 miles. The road distance is 1152.9 miles.
The best way to get from Des Moines to Great Falls without a car is to bus and train which takes 28h 50m and costs $320 - $750.
It takes approximately 5h 15m to get from Des Moines to Great Falls, including transfers.
Des Moines to Great Falls bus services, operated by Jefferson Lines, depart from Des Moines station.
The best way to get from Des Moines to Great Falls is to fly which takes 5h 15m and costs $200 - $1,000. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $330 - $550 and takes 30h 25m.
Des Moines to Great Falls bus services, operated by Jefferson Lines, arrive at Minneapolis station.
Great Falls is 1h behind Des Moines. It is currently 1:01 PM in Des Moines and 12:01 PM in Great Falls.
What companies run services between Des Moines, IA, USA and Great Falls, MT, USA?
United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Delta fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Great Falls International Airport (GTF) 3 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Des Moines to Great Falls Transfer Center via Minneapolis, Billings, and Butte, MT in around 30h 25m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Des Moines to Great Falls International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 56m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $190–950
Flights from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport to Great Falls International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 19h 54m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $140–750
Flights from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport to Great Falls International Airport via Chicago O'Hare, Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 8m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200–900
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from St. Paul-Minneapolis to Shelby Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 20h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $260–650
- 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 Des Moines to Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $65–90
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $65–90
Bus from Minneapolis to Billings
- Ave. Duration
- 15h 5m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $180–260
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $180–260
Bus from Billings to Butte
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 35m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $55–85
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $55–85
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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Booking & Getting There
Yes, the driving distance between Des Moines to Great Falls is 1153 miles. It takes approximately 19h 3m to drive from Des Moines to Great Falls.
Book your Des Moines to Great Falls bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 46+ hotels available in Great Falls.







