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

Find Transport to Des Moines

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There are 5 ways to get from Washington to Des Moines by plane, bus (Greyhound), train, bus, 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.

  1. Fly

    best
    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane DCA - DSM
    2h 54m
    $263–1,205

  2. Bus (Greyhound)

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Washington Union Station to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus Greyhound US0164
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus Greyhound US0123S / ...
    24h 40m
    $161–305

  3. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train Floridian / ...
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus Greyhound US0123S / ...
    25h 27m
    $304–600

  4. Drive 1,002.6 mi

    1. Drive from Washington to Des Moinescar car 1,002.6 mi
    17h 10m
    $183–265

  5. 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
    28h 23m
    $322–663

Washington to Des Moines by bus (Greyhound)

Calendar14Weekly Buses
Duration24h 40mAverage Duration
Ticket$161Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Washington to Des Moines.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 900.8 mi
  • Duration: 2h 54m

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

American Airlines, Delta, and two other airlines fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines (DSM) every 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Washington Union Station to Des Moines via Chicago Bus Station in around 24h 40m.

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