There are 6 ways to get from Des Moines to Lake Michigan by plane, bus (Greyhound), car, bus, or train
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 Chicago O'Hare International Airport
best- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane DSM - ORD
2h 31m$76–388Bus (Greyhound)
cheapest- Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0123S / ...
7h 29m$57–86Drive 330.7 mi
- Drive from Des Moines to Chicagocar 330.7 mi
5h 33m$61–88Fly to General Mitchell International Airport
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)plane DSM - MKE
3h 30m$129–723Fly to Chicago Midway International Airport
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)plane DSM - MDW
2h 10m$91–488Bus, train
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Galesburgbus Greyhound US0157S
- Take the train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain Carl Sandburg / ...
8h 37m$76–164
Des Moines to Lake Michigan by bus (Greyhound)
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Des Moines to Lake Michigan is to bus which costs $55 - $90 and takes 7h 29m.
The fastest way to get from Des Moines to Lake Michigan is to fly which takes 2h 10m and costs $90 - $490.
No, there is no direct bus from Des Moines to Lake Michigan. However, there are services departing from Des Moines and arriving at Congress Plaza & Michigan via Jefferson & Harrison. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 29m.
The distance between Des Moines and Lake Michigan is 324 miles. The road distance is 332.7 miles.
The best way to get from Des Moines to Lake Michigan without a car is to bus which takes 7h 29m and costs $55 - $90.
It takes approximately 2h 31m to get from Des Moines to Lake Michigan, including transfers.
Des Moines to Lake Michigan bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Des Moines station.
The best way to get from Des Moines to Lake Michigan is to fly which takes 2h 31m and costs $75 - $390. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $55 - $90 and takes 7h 29m.
Des Moines to Lake Michigan bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Chicago Bus Station.
Lake Michigan is 1h ahead of Des Moines. It is currently 5:16 PM in Des Moines and 6:16 PM in Lake Michigan.
What companies run services between Des Moines, IA, USA and Lake Michigan, MI, USA?
American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) every 2 hours. Alternatively, Greyhound USA operates a bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Station 3 times a day. Tickets cost $50–85 and the journey takes 7h 5m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Des Moines to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 38m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $55–360
Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 19m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–700
Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 37m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $250–1,200
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $40–110
- Website
- Amtrak
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 5m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $50–85
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Des Moines to Galesburg
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–55
- Website
- Greyhound
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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Booking & Getting There
Yes, the driving distance between Des Moines to Lake Michigan is 333 miles. It takes approximately 5h 33m to drive from Des Moines to Lake Michigan.








