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How to get fromEast Lansing to Des Moinesby plane, bus (Amtrak, Greyhound), train, bus, car, or bus (Flixbus, Greyhound)

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There are 8 ways to get from East Lansing to Des Moines by plane, bus (Amtrak, Greyhound), train, bus, car, or bus (Flixbus, Greyhound)

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 from Capital Region International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Capital Region International Airport (LAN) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane LAN - DSM
    4h 1m
    $163–751

  2. Bus via South Haven

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from East Lansing Michigan Flyer to South Haven Potatoes Plusbus bus
    2. Take the bus from South Haven to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus
    14h 30m
    $97–187

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from East Lansing Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationbus bus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus Greyhound US0123S / ...
    12h 39m
    $131–221

  4. Train, bus via Galesburg

    1. Take the train from East Lansing Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Galesburg Amtrak Stationtrain train
    3. Take the bus from Galesburg to Des Moinesbus bus
    14h 31m
    $146–316

  5. Drive 533.5 mi

    1. Drive from East Lansing to Des Moinescar car 533.5 mi
    8h 55m
    $98–141

  6. Bus to Detroit, fly

    1. Take the bus from East Lansing, MI to Detroit Metro Airportbus bus
    2. Fly from Detroit (DTW) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane DTW - DSM
    5h 2m
    $147–753

  7. Bus to Bishop International Airport, fly

    1. Take the bus from East Lansing Michigan Flyer to Flint Stationbus bus
    2. Fly from Bishop International Airport (FNT) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane FNT - DSM
    6h 12m
    $162–690

  8. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from East Lansing Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train Blue Water
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus Greyhound US0123S / ...
    12h 39m
    $121–251

East Lansing to Des Moines by bus and foot

Calendar1Weekly Services
Duration12h 39mAverage Duration
Ticket$131Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from East Lansing to Des Moines.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 485 mi
  • Duration: 4h 1m

What companies run services between East Lansing, MI, USA and Des Moines, IA, USA?

Delta, American Airlines, and United Airlines fly from Capital Region International Airport (LAN) to Des Moines (DSM) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from WBD Gr. River past MAC AVE to Des Moines via East Lansing Amtrak Station, Chicago Union Station, and Chicago Bus Station in around 12h 39m.

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