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

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There are 9 ways to get from Sacramento 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 Sacramento International Airport to Des Moines

    best
    1. Fly from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane SMF - DSM
    6h 26m
    $239–974

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

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)plane plane SMF - FOD
    2. Drive from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Des Moinescar car
    12h 2m
    $148–628

  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 to Des Moinesbus bus
    37h 24m
    $410–596

  4. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Sacramento to Denvertrain train California Zephyr
    2. Take the bus from Denver to Des Moinesbus bus Btw 1402
    43h 53m
    $569–1,060

  5. Drive 1,709.6 mi

    1. Drive from Sacramento to Des Moinescar car 1,709.6 mi
    25h 52m
    $312–451

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

    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
    8h 36m
    $270–1,036

  7. Train, BART to San Francisco International Airport, fly to Des Moines

    1. Take the train from Sacramento to Richmondtrain train
    2. Take the subway from Richmond to San Francisco International Airportsubway subway
    3. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane SFO - DSM
    9h 15m
    $244–737

  8. Train to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, fly to Des Moines

    1. Take the train from Sacramento to Santa Clara Amtraktrain train
    2. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane SJC - DSM
    9h 54m
    $263–1,010

  9. 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 to Des Moinesbus bus
    45h 19m
    $609–1,075

Sacramento to Des Moines by bus and foot

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration37h 24mAverage Duration
Ticket$410Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Sacramento to Des Moines.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,500.3 mi
  • Duration: 6h 26m

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

Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and two other airlines fly from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Des Moines (DSM) every 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Sacramento Bus Station to Des Moines via Sparks Transit Center, Denver Union Station, and Denver in around 37h 24m.

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