There are 6 ways to get from Santa Barbara to Des Moines 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 from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport
best- Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Des Moines (DSM)plane SBA - DSM
6h 42m$108–425Train, bus
- Take the train from Santa Barbara to Los Angelestrain
- Take the train from Los Angeles to Kansas Citytrain
- Take the bus from Kansas City Bus Station to Des Moinesbus
43h 57m$527–1,209Bus
- Take the bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop 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 25m$344–551Drive 1,754 mi
- Drive from Santa Barbara to Des Moinescar 1,754 mi
27h 41m$321–463Train to Los Angeles International Airport, fly
- Take the train from Santa Barbara to Los Angelestrain
- Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Des Moines (DSM)plane LAX - DSM
8h 33m$162–455Bus to Meadows Field Airport, fly
- Take the bus from Santa Barbara to Bakersfieldbus
- Fly from Meadows Field Airport (BFL) to Des Moines (DSM)plane BFL - DSM
10h 44m$204–662
Santa Barbara to Des Moines by train, foot, and bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Santa Barbara to Des Moines is to fly which costs $100 - $430 and takes 6h 42m.
The fastest way to get from Santa Barbara to Des Moines is to fly which takes 6h 42m and costs $100 - $430.
No, there is no direct bus from Santa Barbara to Des Moines. However, there are services departing from Santa Barbara Bus Stop and arriving at Des Moines via Los Angeles Union Station and Tulsa. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 45h 25m.
The distance between Santa Barbara and Des Moines is 1526 miles. The road distance is 1764.2 miles.
The best way to get from Santa Barbara to Des Moines without a car is to train and bus which takes 43h 57m and costs $500 - $1,300.
It takes approximately 6h 42m to get from Santa Barbara to Des Moines, including transfers.
Santa Barbara to Des Moines bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from Santa Barbara Bus Stop station.
The best way to get from Santa Barbara to Des Moines is to fly which takes 6h 42m and costs $100 - $430. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $340 - $550 and takes 45h 25m.
Santa Barbara to Des Moines bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at Los Angeles Union Station.
Des Moines is 2h ahead of Santa Barbara. It is currently 6:18 PM in Santa Barbara and 8:18 PM in Des Moines.
What companies run services between Santa Barbara, CA, USA and Des Moines, IA, USA?
Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Des Moines (DSM) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop to Des Moines via Los Angeles Union Station and Tulsa in around 45h 25m.
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to Des Moines via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 7h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $95–420
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to Des Moines via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 42m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–460
Flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 33m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–460
Flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Des Moines via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 31m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–470
Flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Des Moines via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 4m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $120–550
Flights from Meadows Field Airport to Des Moines via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 43m
- When
- Thursday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $130–600
Flights from Meadows Field Airport to Des Moines via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $150–650
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 53m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $27–60
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Los Angeles to Kansas City
- Ave. Duration
- 35h 7m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $470–1,100
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 53m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $27–60
- Website
- Amtrak
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Kansas City Bus Station to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 10m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–50
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Tulsa Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 32h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $230–380
- Website
- Greyhound
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 Santa Barbara to Des Moines is 1764 miles. It takes approximately 27h 41m to drive from Santa Barbara to Des Moines.
Book your Santa Barbara to Des Moines bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 252+ hotels available in Des Moines.








