There are 6 ways to get from Des Moines to St. Louis by plane, bus (Greyhound), bus, train, car, or bus (Greyhound, Amtrak, Flixbus)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly
best- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Lambert–St. Louis International Airport (STL)plane DSM - STL
4h 58m$121–674Drive 329.8 mi
cheapest- Drive from Des Moines to St. Louiscar 329.8 mi
6h 39m$61–87Bus via Kansas City
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Kansas Citybus Jefferson Lines 803 / ...
- Take the bus from Kansas City Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0180s / ...
8h 30m$88–142Bus, train via Kansas City
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Kansas City Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0156
- Take the train from Kansas City to St. Louistrain Missouri River Runner / ...
10h 36m$98–222Bus, train
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Bloomington-Normalbus Greyhound US0157S
- Take the train from Bloomington-Normal to St. Louistrain Lincoln Service / ...
10h 5m$81–172Bus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Galesburgbus
- Take the bus from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Springfieldbus
- Take the bus from Springfield SMTD Transfer Center to St Louis Bus Stationbus
10h 46m$79–129
Des Moines to St. Louis by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Des Moines to St. Louis is to drive which costs $60 - $90 and takes 6h 39m.
The fastest way to get from Des Moines to St. Louis is to fly which takes 4h 58m and costs $120 - $700.
No, there is no direct bus from Des Moines to St. Louis station. However, there are services departing from Des Moines and arriving at St Louis Bus Station via Kansas City Bus Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 8h 30m.
The distance between Des Moines and St. Louis is 282 miles. The road distance is 331.7 miles.
The best way to get from Des Moines to St. Louis without a car is to bus via Kansas City which takes 8h 30m and costs $85 - $150.
It takes approximately 4h 58m to get from Des Moines to St. Louis, including transfers.
Des Moines to St. Louis bus services, operated by Jefferson Lines, depart from Des Moines station.
The best way to get from Des Moines to St. Louis is to fly which takes 4h 58m and costs $120 - $700. Alternatively, you can bus via Kansas City, which costs $85 - $150 and takes 8h 30m.
Des Moines to St. Louis bus services, operated by Jefferson Lines, arrive at Kansas City station.
Yes, the driving distance between Des Moines to St. Louis is 332 miles. It takes approximately 6h 39m to drive from Des Moines to St. Louis.
What companies run services between Des Moines, IA, USA and St. Louis, MO, USA?
United Airlines, Delta, and two other airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Lambert–St. Louis International Airport (STL) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Des Moines to St Louis Bus Station via Kansas City and Kansas City Bus Station in around 8h 30m.
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Des Moines to Lambert–St. Louis International Airport via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 47m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–650
Flights from Des Moines to Lambert–St. Louis International Airport via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 26m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–850
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Kansas City to St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 40m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $70–170
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Bloomington-Normal to St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 45m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $40–95
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1-858-800-8898
- Website
- jeffersonlines.com
Bus from Des Moines to Kansas City
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $50–75
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $50–75
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
Travelling to the US: What do I need to know?
Read the travel guide
Need to know: Greyhound
Read the travel guide
Why you should take the train in the US
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
Book your Des Moines to St. Louis bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 559+ hotels available in St. Louis.







