Rome2Rio

How to get fromO'Hare to Amesby plane, shuttle, bus (Greyhound), car, taxi, bus, or train

Find Transport to Ames

See all options

There are 7 ways to get from O'Hare to Ames by plane, shuttle, bus (Greyhound), car, taxi, bus, 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 Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Des Moines, shuttle

    best
    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane ORD - DSM
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    3h 50m
    $158–675

  2. Drive 320.7 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from O'Hare to Amescar car 320.7 mi
    5h 57m
    $59–85

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus Greyhound US0123S / ...
    2. Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus bus Jefferson 804 / ...
    10h
    $72–132

  4. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Des Moines, shuttle

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane MDW - DSM
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    4h 49m
    $184–850

  5. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, taxi

    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)plane plane ORD - FOD
    2. Take the taxi from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Amestaxi taxi
    4h 2m
    $188–485

  6. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Mason City, bus

    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Mason City (MCW)plane plane ORD - MCW
    2. Take the bus from Mason City to Amesbus bus
    5h 21m
    $78–340

  7. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Galesburg Amtrak Stationtrain train
    2. Take the bus from Galesburg to Des Moinesbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus bus
    11h 58m
    $102–207

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Des Moines (DSM) flights

Calendar63Weekly Planes
Duration1h 30mAverage Duration
Ticket$77Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from O'Hare to Ames.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 342.5 mi
  • Duration: 3h 50m

What companies run services between O'Hare, IL, USA and Ames, IA, USA?

You can take a subway from Cumberland to Ames via LaSalle, Chicago Bus Station, and Des Moines in around 10h.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators
Other operators

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

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound