There are 6 ways to get from East Lansing to Iowa City by train, bus, car, plane, or bus (Amtrak, Greyhound)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train, bus
best- Take the train from East Lansing Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain Blue Water
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Iowa Citybus Greyhound US0123S / ...
10h 24m$91–211Drive 423.5 mi
cheapest- Drive from East Lansing to Iowa Citycar 423.5 mi
7h 8m$78–112Fly to Quad City International Airport, bus
- Fly from Capital Region International Airport (LAN) to Quad City International Airport (MLI)plane LAN - MLI
- Take the bus from Moline Center Station to Iowa Citybus
9h 14m$86–366Bus
- Take the bus from East Lansing Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationbus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Iowa Citybus Greyhound US0123S / ...
10h 24m$86–136Fly to The Eastern Iowa Airport, bus
- Fly from Capital Region International Airport (LAN) to The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)plane LAN - CID
- Take the bus from GTC Bay 9 to Court St Transportation Centerbus
8h 16mFly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, bus
- Fly from Capital Region International Airport (LAN) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane LAN - ORD
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Iowa Citybus
7h 58m$96–328
East Lansing to Iowa City by bus, train, and foot
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from East Lansing to Iowa City is to drive which costs $75 - $120 and takes 7h 8m.
The fastest way to get from East Lansing to Iowa City is to drive which takes 7h 8m and costs $75 - $120.
No, there is no direct bus from East Lansing to Iowa City. However, there are services departing from WBD Gr. River past MAC AVE and arriving at Iowa City via East Lansing Amtrak Station and Chicago Bus Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 10h 24m.
The distance between East Lansing and Iowa City is 435 miles. The road distance is 426 miles.
The best way to get from East Lansing to Iowa City without a car is to train and bus which takes 10h 24m and costs $90 - $220.
It takes approximately 10h 24m to get from East Lansing to Iowa City, including transfers.
East Lansing to Iowa City bus services, operated by Amtrak, depart from East Lansing Amtrak Station.
East Lansing to Iowa City bus services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Chicago Union Station.
Iowa City is 1h behind East Lansing. It is currently 8:08 PM in East Lansing and 7:08 PM in Iowa City.
Yes, the driving distance between East Lansing to Iowa City is 426 miles. It takes approximately 7h 8m to drive from East Lansing to Iowa City.
What companies run services between East Lansing, MI, USA and Iowa City, IA, USA?
You can take a bus from WBD Gr. River past MAC AVE to Iowa City via East Lansing Amtrak Station, Chicago Union Station, and Chicago Bus Station in around 10h 24m.
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Capital Region International Airport to Quad City International Airport via Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 49m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $50–320
Flights from Capital Region International Airport to The Eastern Iowa Airport via Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 36m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $50–330
Flights from Capital Region International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 28m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–230
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Capital Region International Airport to Quad City International Airport via Detroit, Atlanta
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 39m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–550
Flights from Capital Region International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport via Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 21m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–250
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Capital Region International Airport to Quad City International Airport via Detroit, Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 41m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $55–350
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from East Lansing Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 51m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $55–150
- Website
- Amtrak
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Iowa City
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 15m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $35–60
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Moline Center Station to Iowa City
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $9–15
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Iowa City
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 15m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $35–60
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Iowa City
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 15m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $35–60
- Website
- Greyhound
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Bus from East Lansing Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 51m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $50–75
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1-319-362-0375
- Website
- 380 Express Corridor Rides
Bus from GTC Bay 9 to Court St Transportation Center
- Ave. Duration
- 57 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Website
- 380 Express Corridor Rides
- Schedules at
- 380 Express Schedule
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Booking & Getting There
There are 51+ hotels available in Iowa City.





