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How to get fromMadison to West Des Moinesby plane, bus, car, or train

Find Transport to West Des Moines

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There are 7 ways to get from Madison to West Des Moines by plane, bus, car, or train

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 Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field

    best
    1. Fly from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane MSN - DSM
    5h 14m
    $139–773

  2. Drive 281.1 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Madison to West Des Moinescar car 281.1 mi
    5h 13m
    $52–75

  3. Bus via Rochester

    1. Take the bus from Madison to Rochesterbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Rochester to Albert Leabus bus
    3. Take the bus from Albert Lea to Des Moinesbus bus
    11h 5m
    $140–200

  4. Bus to General Mitchell International Airport, fly

    1. Take the bus from UW Madison Campus - N Lake St to Mitchell Airportbus bus
    2. Fly from General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane MKE - DSM
    6h 49m
    $151–794

  5. Bus to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly

    1. Take the bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to O'Hare International Airport - Terminal 1 Departuresbus bus
    2. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane ORD - DSM
    5h 37m
    $116–551

  6. Bus

    1. Take the bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton Stbus bus Van Galder
    2. Take the bus from Chicago to Des Moinesbus bus Btw 1205 / ...
    12h 27m
    $122–196

  7. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from UW Madison Campus - N Lake St to Milwaukee Intermodalbus bus
    2. Take the train from Milwaukee to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    3. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Galesburg Amtrak Stationtrain train
    4. Take the bus from Galesburg to Des Moinesbus bus
    13h 50m
    $143–282

Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) to Des Moines (DSM) flights

Calendar131Weekly Planes
Duration5h 12mAverage Duration
Ticket$122Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Madison to West Des Moines.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 259.8 mi
  • Duration: 5h 14m

What companies run services between Madison, WI, USA and West Des Moines, IA, USA?

United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta fly from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) to Des Moines (DSM) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Madison to West Des Moines via Rochester, Albert Lea, and Des Moines in around 11h 5m.

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