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

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There are 7 ways to get from Washington to Ames by plane, shuttle, bus (Greyhound), train, bus, car, taxi, 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 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Des Moines, shuttle

    best
    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane DCA - DSM
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    3h 58m
    $326–1,374

  2. Bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Washington Union Station to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus bus
    26h 20m
    $180–332

  3. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus bus
    27h 7m
    $322–626

  4. Drive 1,004.2 mi

    1. Drive from Washington to Amescar car 1,004.2 mi
    18h
    $184–265

  5. Fly Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, taxi

    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)plane plane DCA - FOD
    2. Take the taxi from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Amestaxi taxi
    6h 11m
    $295–918

  6. Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to Des Moines, shuttle

    1. Take the subway from Farragut West, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platformsubway subway
    2. Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane IAD - DSM
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    7h 35m
    $222–893

  7. Train, bus via Galesburg

    1. Take the train from Rockville Amtrak to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Galesburg Amtrak Stationtrain train
    3. Take the bus from Galesburg to Des Moinesbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus bus
    30h 3m
    $341–690

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines (DSM) flights

Calendar78Weekly Planes
Duration4h 17mAverage Duration
Ticket$246Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Washington to Ames.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 935.4 mi
  • Duration: 3h 58m

What companies run services between Washington, DC, USA and Ames, IA, USA?

You can take a bus from Washington Union Station to Ames via Chicago Bus Station and Des Moines in around 26h 20m.

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