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How to get fromWest Des Moines to Madisonby plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), car, bus, bus (Greyhound), train, or shuttle

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There are 8 ways to get from West Des Moines to Madison by plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), car, bus, bus (Greyhound), train, or shuttle

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 to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field

    best
    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN)plane plane DSM - MSN
    4h 21m
    $76–365

  2. Drive  281.1 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from West Des Moines to Madisoncar car 281.1 mi
    5h 14m
    $48–70

  3. Bus via Minneapolis

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Minneapolis Bus Stationbus bus Greyhound US0156
    2. Take the bus from Minneapolis Bus Station to Madisonbus bus FlixBus 2548
    11h 10m
    $132–192

  4. Fly to General Mitchell International Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)plane plane DSM - MKE
    2. Take the bus from Mitchell Airport to Madison, WI-Lake St.bus bus
    6h 41m
    $109–518

  5. Fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane plane DSM - ORD
    2. Take the bus from Multi-Modal/Rental Car Facility to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campusbus bus
    5h 53m
    $78–378

  6. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus Greyhound US0155S / ...
    2. Take the bus from W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campusbus bus Van Galder
    12h 45m
    $112–182

  7. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Galesburgbus bus
    2. Take the train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    3. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Milwaukeetrain train
    4. Take the bus from Milwaukee, WI - Amtrak to Madison, WI-Lake St.bus bus
    13h 44m
    $206–342

  8. Shuttle, bus

    1. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    2. Take the bus from Ames to Minneapolisbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Mall of America - IKEA - Bloomington to Madison, WI-Lake St.bus bus
    13h 55m
    $216–381

Des Moines (DSM) to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) flights

Calendar97Weekly Planes
Duration4h 39mAverage Duration
Ticket$56Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from West Des Moines to Madison.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 260.1 mi
  • Duration: 4h 21m

What companies run services between West Des Moines, IA, USA and Madison, WI, USA?

Delta, United Airlines, and American Airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from West Des Moines to Madison via Des Moines and Minneapolis Bus Station in around 11h 10m.

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