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 General Mitchell International Airport
best- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)plane DSM - MKE
3h 27m$128–721Bus (Greyhound)
cheapest- Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0123S / ...
7h 24m$57–103Drive 330.7 mi
- Drive from Des Moines to Chicagocar 330.7 mi
5h 33m$61–88Fly to Chicago Midway International Airport
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)plane DSM - MDW
2h 5m$90–476Fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane DSM - ORD
2h 32m$80–406Bus, 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$86–175
Des Moines to Lake Michigan by bus and foot (Greyhound)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Des Moines to Lake Michigan is to bus which costs $55 - $110 and takes 7h 24m.
The fastest way to get from Des Moines to Lake Michigan is to fly which takes 2h 5m and costs $90 - $480.
No, there is no direct bus from Des Moines to Lake Michigan. However, there are services departing from Des Moines and arriving at Jackson & Wabash via Jackson & Clinton. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 24m.
The distance between Des Moines and Lake Michigan is 318 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 24m and costs $55 - $110.
It takes approximately 3h 27m 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 3h 27m and costs $120 - $750. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $55 - $110 and takes 7h 24m.
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 2:07 PM in Des Moines and 3:07 PM in Lake Michigan.
What companies run services between Des Moines, IA, USA and Lake Michigan, MI, USA?
Southwest Airlines, Delta, and two other airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) hourly. Alternatively, Greyhound USA operates a bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Station 3 times a day. Tickets cost $50–100 and the journey takes 7h 5m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 24m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–700
Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 3m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $280–1,200
Flights from Des Moines to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 39m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $60–380
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Chicago Midway International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 30m
- When
- Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $110–700
Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 45m
- When
- Tuesday and Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $280–1,200
Flights from Des Moines to Chicago Midway International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 19m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $70–450
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 4m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $140–750
Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Atlanta
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $270–1,200
Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 6m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–900
Flights from Des Moines to Chicago O'Hare International Airport via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 58m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80–450
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–700
Flights from Des Moines to General Mitchell International Airport via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 6m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $280–1,200
Flights from Des Moines to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $60–380
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $50–110
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 5m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $50–100
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Des Moines to Galesburg
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–65
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
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More Questions & Answers
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.








