There are 11 ways to get from Grand Rapids to Des Moines by plane, bus (Amtrak, Greyhound), train, bus, car, taxi, 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.
Fly from Gerald R. Ford International Airport
best- Fly from Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) to Des Moines (DSM)plane GRR - DSM
6h 45m$76–375Bus
- Take the bus from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Stationbus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus Greyhound US0123S / ...
11h 47m$102–166Train, bus via Galesburg
- Take the train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Galesburg Amtrak Stationtrain
- Take the bus from Galesburg to Des Moinesbus
13h 39m$117–253Drive 490.9 mi
- Drive from Grand Rapids to Des Moinescar 490.9 mi
8h 12m$90–130Train to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly
- Take the train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Des Moines (DSM)plane ORD - DSM
7h 48m$106–409Bus to Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport, fly
- Take the bus from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo Metro Transitbus
- Fly from Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport (AZO) to Des Moines (DSM)plane AZO - DSM
7h 30m$84–387Train to Chicago Midway International Airport, fly
- Take the train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Des Moines (DSM)plane MDW - DSM
7h 32m$129–522Taxi to Muskegon, fly
- Take the taxi from Grand Rapids to Muskegon (MKG)taxi
- Fly from Muskegon (MKG) to Des Moines (DSM)plane MKG - DSM
5h 59m$149–448Bus, bus to Detroit, fly
- Take the bus from Greyhound Grand Rapids to CATA Intermodal Downtownbus
- Take the bus from East Lansing, MI to Detroit Metro Airportbus
- Fly from Detroit (DTW) to Des Moines (DSM)plane DTW - DSM
7h 24m$120–567Train, bus
- Take the train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain Pere Marquette
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus Greyhound US0123S / ...
11h 47m$97–193Bus via South Haven
- Take the bus from Grand Rapids to South Havenbus
- Take the bus from South Haven to Chicago Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus
12h 30m$79–146
Grand Rapids to Des Moines by bus and foot
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Grand Rapids to Des Moines is to bus via South Haven which costs $75 - $150 and takes 12h 30m.
The fastest way to get from Grand Rapids to Des Moines is to taxi and fly which takes 5h 59m and costs $140 - $450.
No, there is no direct bus from Grand Rapids station to Des Moines. However, there are services departing from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station and arriving at Des Moines via Chicago Bus Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 11h 47m.
The distance between Grand Rapids and Des Moines is 448 miles. The road distance is 493.8 miles.
The best way to get from Grand Rapids to Des Moines without a car is to bus which takes 11h 47m and costs $100 - $170.
It takes approximately 6h 45m to get from Grand Rapids to Des Moines, including transfers.
Grand Rapids to Des Moines bus services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station.
The best way to get from Grand Rapids to Des Moines is to fly which takes 6h 45m and costs $75 - $380. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $100 - $170 and takes 11h 47m.
Grand Rapids to Des Moines bus services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Chicago Union Station.
Des Moines is 1h behind Grand Rapids. It is currently 5:08 PM in Grand Rapids and 4:08 PM in Des Moines.
What companies run services between Grand Rapids, Kent County, MI, USA and Des Moines, IA, USA?
American Airlines, United Airlines, and two other airlines fly from Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) to Des Moines (DSM) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Des Moines via Chicago Union Station and Chicago Bus Station in around 11h 47m.
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Gerald R. Ford International Airport to Des Moines via Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 3m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $70–390
Flights from Gerald R. Ford International Airport to Des Moines via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 31m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $70–390
Flights from Gerald R. Ford International Airport to Des Moines via Atlanta
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 51m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–550
Flights from Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport to Des Moines via Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $70–390
Flights from Muskegon to Des Moines via Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 24m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80–420
Flights from Detroit to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 55m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80–480
Flights from Detroit to Des Moines via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 12m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–550
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 8m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $45–110
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Chicago Union Station to Galesburg Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 36m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $40–95
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 8m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $45–110
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 8m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $45–110
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 8m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $45–110
- Website
- Amtrak
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Bus from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 8m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $50–80
- Website
- Amtrak
- Ave. Duration
- 39 min
- Estimated price
- $80–100
Metro Cab
- Phone
- +1 616-827-6500
- Website
- metrocabgr.com
Yellow Cab of Grand Rapids
- Phone
- +1 616-459-4646
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
Why you should take the train in the US
Read the travel guide
Need to know: Greyhound
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
Yes, the driving distance between Grand Rapids to Des Moines is 494 miles. It takes approximately 8h 12m to drive from Grand Rapids to Des Moines.
There are 252+ hotels available in Des Moines.





