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How to get fromDes Moines to San Franciscoby plane, bus (Greyhound), bus, train, car, or shuttle

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There are 7 ways to get from Des Moines to San Francisco by plane, bus (Greyhound), bus, train, car, or shuttle

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 San Francisco International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane DSM - SFO
    6h 11m
    $177–533

  2. Fly to Sonoma County Airport, shuttle

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Sonoma County Airport (STS)plane plane DSM - STS
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Santa Rosa Airport to San Francisco Pier 27shuttle bus
    8h 12m
    $163–631

  3. Bus (Greyhound)

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Denver Union Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Denver Union Station to Sparks Transit Centerbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Sparks Transit Center to San Francisco Bus Stationbus bus
    43h 20m
    $300–578

  4. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Omaha, NEbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Omaha, NE to Denverbus bus
    3. Take the train from Denver to Richmondtrain train
    2d
    $605–1,126

  5. Drive 1,795.5 mi

    1. Drive from Des Moines to San Franciscocar car 1,795.5 mi
    27h 24m
    $328–474

  6. Fly to Oakland International Airport

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane DSM - OAK
    6h 5m
    $243–979

  7. Fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, Caltrain

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane DSM - SJC
    2. Take the train from Santa Clara Caltrain Northbound to San Francisco Caltrain Northboundtrain train
    7h 27m
    $240–936

Des Moines to San Francisco by bus (Greyhound)

Calendar7Weekly Buses
Duration43h 20mAverage Duration
Ticket$300Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Des Moines to San Francisco.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,567.7 mi
  • Duration: 6h 11m

What companies run services between Des Moines, IA, USA and San Francisco, CA, USA?

Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and three other airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) every 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Des Moines to San Francisco Bus Station via Denver Union Station and Sparks Transit Center in around 43h 20m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

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Need to know: Greyhound

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