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How to get fromMadison to West Des Moinesby plane, bus, shuttle, car, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), bus (Greyhound), or train

Find Transport to West Des Moines

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There are 9 ways to get from Madison to West Des Moines by plane, bus, shuttle, car, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), bus (Greyhound), 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 22m
    $95–485

  2. Drive  281.1 mi

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

  3. Bus, shuttle

    1. Take the bus from Madison to Rochesterbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Rochester to Owatonnabus bus
    3. Take the bus from Owatonna to Amesbus bus
    4. Take a shuttle bus from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IAshuttle bus
    11h 30m
    $197–391

  4. 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 35m
    $82–353

  5. Bus to General Mitchell International Airport, fly

    1. Take the bus from Madison, WI-Lake St. to Mitchell Airportbus bus
    2. Fly from General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane MKE - DSM
    6h 44m
    $109–505

  6. Bus to Chicago Midway 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 Midway International Airport (MDW) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane MDW - DSM
    6h 56m
    $106–473

  7. Bus via Saint Paul

    1. Take the bus from Madison to Saint Paul Union Depotbus bus FlixBus 2548
    2. Take the bus from Saint Paul Union Depot to Des Moinesbus bus Greyhound US0156
    11h 35m
    $124–179

  8. 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 Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus Greyhound US0123S / ...
    11h 52m
    $98–168

  9. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Madison, WI-Lake St. to Milwaukee, WI - Amtrakbus 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
    $133–267

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

Calendar168Weekly Planes
Duration5h 28mAverage Duration
Ticket$75Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Madison to West Des Moines.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 259.8 mi
  • Duration: 5h 22m

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 Saint Paul Union Depot and Des Moines in around 11h 35m.

Airlines
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