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How to get fromSacramento to Amesby plane, shuttle, bus (Greyhound), train, bus, car, or taxi

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There are 7 ways to get from Sacramento to Ames by plane, shuttle, bus (Greyhound), train, bus, car, or taxi

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 Sacramento International Airport to Des Moines, shuttle

    best
    1. Fly from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane SMF - DSM
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    7h 30m
    $302–1,143

  2. Fly Sacramento International Airport to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, taxi

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)plane plane SMF - FOD
    2. Take the taxi from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Amestaxi taxi
    11h 26m
    $272–783

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Sacramento Bus Station to Sparks Transit Centerbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Sparks Transit Center to Denver Union Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Denver Union Station to Des Moinesbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus bus
    40h 15m
    $321–597

  4. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Sacramento to Denvertrain train
    2. Take the bus from Denver Union Station to Des Moinesbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus bus
    46h 44m
    $551–1,082

  5. Drive 1,737.6 mi

    1. Drive from Sacramento to Amescar car 1,737.6 mi
    26h 35m
    $318–458

  6. Train to Oakland International Airport, fly to Des Moines, shuttle

    1. Take the train from Sacramento to Oakland Coliseum/Airport Amtraktrain train
    2. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane OAK - DSM
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    9h 40m
    $333–1,205

  7. Train, bus via Omaha

    1. Take the train from Sacramento to Denvertrain train
    2. Take the bus from Denver to Omaha, NEbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Omaha, NE to Des Moinesbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus bus
    47h 14m
    $612–1,097

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Des Moines (DSM) flights

Calendar65Weekly Planes
Duration6h 15mAverage Duration
Ticket$226Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Sacramento to Ames.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,534.9 mi
  • Duration: 7h 30m

What companies run services between Sacramento, CA, USA and Ames, IA, USA?

You can take a bus from Sacramento Bus Station to Ames via Sparks Transit Center, Denver Union Station, and Des Moines in around 40h 15m.

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