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How to get fromOakland to Des Moinesby plane, bus (Greyhound), train, bus, car, or subway

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There are 9 ways to get from Oakland to Des Moines by plane, bus (Greyhound), train, bus, car, or subway

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 Oakland International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane OAK - DSM
    6h 44m
    $242–977

  2. Fly from San Francisco International Airport

    cheapest
    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane SFO - DSM
    7h 17m
    $218–684

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Oakland to Sparks Transit Centerbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Sparks Transit Center to Denver Union Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Denver to Des Moinesbus bus
    40h 19m
    $428–620

  4. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Emeryville to Denvertrain train California Zephyr
    2. Take the bus from Denver to Des Moinesbus bus Btw 1402
    45h 51m
    $597–1,117

  5. Drive 1,789.5 mi

    1. Drive from Oakland to Des Moinescar car 1,789.5 mi
    27h 15m
    $327–472

  6. BART to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, fly

    1. Take the subway from 12th Street / Oakland City Center to Milpitassubway subway
    2. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane SJC - DSM
    8h 5m
    $227–933

  7. Train to Sacramento International Airport, fly

    1. Take the train from Oakland to Sacramentotrain train
    2. Fly from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane SMF - DSM
    9h 4m
    $269–1,037

  8. Train, bus via Omaha

    1. Take the train from Emeryville to Denvertrain train
    2. Take the bus from Denver to Omaha, NEbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Omaha to Des Moinesbus bus
    47h 17m
    $637–1,132

  9. Train, bus #2

    1. Take the train from Oakland to Los Angelestrain train
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Kansas Citytrain train
    3. Take the bus from Kansas City to Des Moinesbus bus
    2d 4h
    $731–1,563

Oakland to Des Moines by bus and foot

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration40h 19mAverage Duration
Ticket$428Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Oakland to Des Moines.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,551.1 mi
  • Duration: 6h 44m

What companies run services between Oakland, CA, USA and Des Moines, IA, USA?

Southwest Airlines flies from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Des Moines (DSM) 3 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Oakland to Des Moines via Sparks Transit Center, Denver Union Station, and Denver in around 40h 19m.

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