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How to get fromDes Moines to Traverse Cityby plane, bus (Greyhound, Amtrak), car, bus, or train

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There are 8 ways to get from Des Moines to Traverse City by plane, bus (Greyhound, Amtrak), 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.

  1. Fly Des Moines to Traverse City

    best
    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Traverse City (TVC)plane plane DSM - TVC
    6h 17m
    $116–574

  2. Drive to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, fly to Traverse City

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Des Moines to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)car car
    2. Fly from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Traverse City (TVC)plane plane FOD - TVC
    7h 55m
    $85–377

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Union Station to Kalamazoobus bus
    3. Take the bus from Kalamazoo Metro Transit to Traverse City, MIbus bus
    16h 50m
    $135–237

  4. Drive 631.7 mi

    1. Drive from Des Moines to Traverse Citycar car 631.7 mi
    10h 29m
    $116–167

  5. Fly Des Moines to Pellston, bus

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane DSM - PLN
    2. Take the bus from Pellston to Traverse City, MIbus bus
    8h 15m
    $140–666

  6. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Stationtrain train
    3. Take the bus from Grand Rapids to Traverse City, MIbus bus
    17h 28m
    $135–272

  7. Bus via Grand Rapids

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Grand Rapids to Traverse City, MIbus bus
    17h 28m
    $145–247

  8. Bus, train via Galesburg

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Galesburgbus bus
    2. Take the train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    3. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Stationtrain train
    4. Take the bus from Grand Rapids to Traverse City, MIbus bus
    18h 39m
    $164–343

Des Moines to Traverse City by bus and foot

Calendar3Weekly Services
Duration16h 50mAverage Duration
Ticket$135Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Des Moines to Traverse City.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 479.1 mi
  • Duration: 6h 17m

What companies run services between Des Moines, IA, USA and Traverse City, MI, USA?

American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Traverse City (TVC) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Des Moines to Traverse City, MI via Chicago Bus Station, Chicago Union Station, and Kalamazoo Metro Transit in around 16h 50m.

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