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How to get fromWest Chicago to Amesby train, plane, shuttle, bus, car, or taxi

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There are 7 ways to get from West Chicago to Ames by train, plane, shuttle, bus, car, or taxi

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Train to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly to Des Moines, shuttle

    best
    1. Take the train from West Chicago to Chicago OTCtrain train
    2. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane ORD - DSM
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    5h 50m
    $162–681

  2. Drive 292.2 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from West Chicago to Amescar car 292.2 mi
    5h 35m
    $54–77

  3. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from West Chicago to Chicago OTCtrain train
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus bus
    10h 28m
    $77–136

  4. Train to Chicago Midway International Airport, fly to Des Moines, shuttle

    1. Take the train from West Chicago to Chicago OTCtrain train
    2. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane MDW - DSM
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    5h 41m
    $187–851

  5. Train to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, taxi

    1. Take the train from West Chicago to Chicago OTCtrain train
    2. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)plane plane ORD - FOD
    3. Take the taxi from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Amestaxi taxi
    6h 2m
    $192–491

  6. Train to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly to Mason City, bus

    1. Take the train from West Chicago to Chicago OTCtrain train
    2. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Mason City (MCW)plane plane ORD - MCW
    3. Take the bus from Mason City to Amesbus bus
    7h 21m
    $82–346

  7. Train, bus via Galesburg

    1. Take the train from West Chicago to Chicago OTCtrain 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
    12h 23m
    $107–211

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Des Moines (DSM) flights

Calendar63Weekly Planes
Duration1h 30mAverage Duration
Ticket$77Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from West Chicago to Ames.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 386.7 mi
  • Duration: 5h 50m

What companies run services between West Chicago, IL, USA and Ames, IA, USA?

There is no direct connection from West Chicago to Ames. However, you can take the train to Chicago OTC, walk to Clark/Lake, take the subway to O'Hare, walk to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) airport, fly to Des Moines (DSM), walk to Des Moines International Airport, IA, then take the shuttle to Ames, IA - Iowa State University. Alternatively, you can take a train from West Chicago to Ames via Chicago OTC, Madison & Canal, Harrison & Jefferson, Chicago Bus Station, and Des Moines in around 10h 28m.

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