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How to get fromMackinac Island to Des Moinesby ferry, plane, or bus

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There are 3 ways to get from Mackinac Island to Des Moines by ferry, plane, or bus

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Ferry to Pellston, fly

    best
    1. Take the ferry from Mackinac Island to Mackinaw Cityferry ferry
    2. Fly from Pellston (PLN) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane PLN - DSM
    7h 56m
    $173–541

  2. Ferry, bus to Chippewa County International Airport, fly

    cheapest
    1. Take the ferry from Mackinac Island to St Ignaceferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from St. Ignace to Kinrossbus bus
    3. Fly from Chippewa County International Airport (CIU) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane CIU - DSM
    7h 19m
    $130–484

  3. Ferry, bus

    1. Take the ferry from Mackinac Island to St Ignaceferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from St. Ignace to East Lansingbus bus
    3. Take the bus from East Lansing Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus
    20h 16m

Pellston (PLN) to Des Moines (DSM) flights

Calendar19Weekly Planes
Duration8h 19mAverage Duration
Ticket$77Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Mackinac Island to Des Moines.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 554.2 mi
  • Duration: 7h 56m

What companies run services between Mackinac Island, MI, USA and Des Moines, IA, USA?

There is no direct connection from Mackinac Island to Des Moines. However, you can take the ferry to Mackinaw City, take the taxi to Pellston (PLN) airport, fly to Des Moines (DSM), then take the taxi to Des Moines. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Mackinac Island to Des Moines via St Ignace, St. Ignace, East Lansing, East Lansing Amtrak Station, Chicago Union Station, and Chicago Bus Station in around 20h 16m.

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