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How to get fromGrand Rapids to Des Moinesby plane, bus, train, car, taxi, or bus (Amtrak)

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There are 11 ways to get from Grand Rapids to Des Moines by plane, bus, train, car, taxi, or bus (Amtrak)

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 Gerald R. Ford International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane GRR - DSM
    6h 41m
    $131–725

  2. Drive 490.9 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Grand Rapids to Des Moinescar car 490.9 mi
    8h 12m
    $90–130

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Grand Rapids to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus FlixBus 2552
    2. Take the bus from Chicago to Des Moinesbus bus Btw 1205 / ...
    12h 5m
    $130–189

  4. Train, bus via Galesburg

    1. Take the train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers 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
    13h 39m
    $138–290

  5. Bus to Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport, fly

    1. Take the bus from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo Metro Transitbus bus
    2. Fly from Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport (AZO) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane AZO - DSM
    7h 39m
    $119–597

  6. Train to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly

    1. Take the train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    2. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane ORD - DSM
    7h 49m
    $152–621

  7. Train to Chicago Midway International Airport, fly

    1. Take the train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    2. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane MDW - DSM
    7h 32m
    $180–794

  8. Taxi to Muskegon, fly

    1. Take the taxi from Grand Rapids to Muskegon (MKG)taxi taxi
    2. Fly from Muskegon (MKG) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane MKG - DSM
    5h 49m
    $174–578

  9. Bus, bus to Detroit, fly

    1. Take the bus from Greyhound Grand Rapids to CATA Intermodal Downtownbus bus
    2. Take the bus from East Lansing Marriott to DTW McNamara Terminalbus bus
    3. Fly from Detroit (DTW) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane DTW - DSM
    7h 31m
    $160–785

  10. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train Pere Marquette
    2. Take the bus from Chicago to Des Moinesbus bus Btw 1205 / ...
    12h 27m
    $138–235

  11. Bus via Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station

    1. Take the bus from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Stationbus bus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
    2. Take the bus from Chicago to Des Moinesbus bus Btw 1205 / ...
    12h 27m
    $146–212

Grand Rapids to Des Moines by bus

Calendar7Weekly Buses
Duration12h 5mAverage Duration
Ticket$130Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Grand Rapids to Des Moines.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 444.9 mi
  • Duration: 6h 41m

What companies run services between Grand Rapids, Kent County, MI, USA and Des Moines, IA, USA?

Delta, Southwest 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 to Des Moines via Chicago in around 12h 5m.

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