There are 7 ways to get from San Diego to Iowa by plane, train, bus, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly to Omaha
best- Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Omaha (OMA)plane SAN - OMA
3h 15m$324–392Fly to Sioux Gateway Airport/Col. Bud Day Field
cheapest- Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Sioux Gateway Airport/Col. Bud Day Field (SUX)plane SAN - SUX
5h 42m$101–397Train, bus
- Take the train from San Diego to Fullerton Amtrak Stationtrain
- Take the train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to Kansas Citytrain
- Take the bus from Kansas City to Des Moinesbus
43h 1m$505–1,236Bus
- Take the bus from San Diego to Los Angeles Union Stationbus
- Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Tulsa Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Tulsa to Des Moinesbus
45h 35m$359–558Drive 1,743.7 mi
- Drive from San Diego to Des Moinescar 1,743.7 mi
27h 7m$319–460Fly to Des Moines
- Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Des Moines (DSM)plane SAN - DSM
5h 1m$103–412Fly to The Eastern Iowa Airport
- Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)plane SAN - CID
5h 33m$130–453
San Diego to Iowa by train, foot, and bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from San Diego to Iowa is to fly which costs $100 - $400 and takes 5h 42m.
The fastest way to get from San Diego to Iowa is to fly which takes 3h 15m and costs $320 - $400.
No, there is no direct bus from San Diego to Iowa. However, there are services departing from San Diego and arriving at Des Moines via Los Angeles Union Station and Tulsa. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 45h 35m.
The distance between San Diego and Iowa is 1327 miles. The road distance is 1753.9 miles.
The best way to get from San Diego to Iowa without a car is to train and bus which takes 43h 1m and costs $500 - $1,300.
It takes approximately 3h 15m to get from San Diego to Iowa, including transfers.
San Diego to Iowa bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from San Diego station.
The best way to get from San Diego to Iowa is to fly which takes 3h 15m and costs $320 - $400. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $350 - $600 and takes 45h 35m.
San Diego to Iowa bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at Los Angeles Union Station.
Iowa is 2h ahead of San Diego. It is currently 9:50 AM in San Diego and 11:50 AM in Iowa.
What companies run services between San Diego, CA, USA and Iowa, USA?
Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Omaha (OMA) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from San Diego to Des Moines via Los Angeles Union Station and Tulsa in around 45h 35m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Omaha
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 3m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $100–470
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Omaha via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 55m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–480
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Omaha via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 52m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $100–480
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Omaha via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 58m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $100–480
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h
- When
- Saturday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $85–390
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Des Moines via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 15m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $85–390
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Des Moines via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 17m
- When
- Saturday, Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $85–400
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from San Diego to Fullerton Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 19m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $25–65
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to Kansas City
- Ave. Duration
- 34h 31m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $430–1,100
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1-858-800-8898
- Website
- jeffersonlines.com
Bus from Kansas City to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 25m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $50–75
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $50–75
Bus from Tulsa to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $100–150
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $100–150
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.
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Booking & Getting There
Yes, the driving distance between San Diego to Iowa is 1754 miles. It takes approximately 27h 7m to drive from San Diego to Iowa.
There are 254+ hotels available in Iowa.









