Next bus departures
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bus | Milwaukee Bus Station, St. Paul & N6th road. | Des Moines | Cheapest | ||||
| Bus | Milwaukee Bus Station, St. Paul & N6th road. | Des Moines | Fastest | ||||
 | Bus | St. Paul & N5th | Des Moines | No tags | ||||
| Bus | St. Paul & N5th | Des Moines | No tags |
Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 10:22 AM CST.
Get from Milwaukee to Des Moines
The journey takes about 11 hours 30 minutes, and with fares starting at just $97, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Where are the popular stops in Milwaukee and Des Moines?
Stops in Milwaukee
- B433 W St Paul Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203, USA
- C
S Cesar Chavez
1016 S Cesar E Chavez Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USA
Stops in Des Moines
- A
Jefferson/Trailways Depot
1501 2nd Ave North, Des Moines, IA 50314 - B
1514 East Grand Ave
1514 East Grand Avenue,, Des Moins, IA, 50316
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Frequently asked questions about travelling from Milwaukee to Des Moines by bus
Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.
How much is the bus ticket from Milwaukee to Des Moines?
The cheapest bus tickets from Milwaukee to Des Moines start from $97. The average price for this route is around $155. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.
How long is the bus ride from Milwaukee to Des Moines?
The average bus travel time from Milwaukee to Des Moines is 11h 30m, covering a distance of 493 km. The quickest bus can get you there in 11h 15m and is operated by Greyhound.
Which bus companies service the Milwaukee to Des Moines route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 3 buses available per day, including services from Greyhound, Jefferson Lines.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the bus from Milwaukee to Des Moines?
The earliest bus departs from Milwaukee to Des Moines at 2:20am. And the latest bus departs at 9:00am.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Milwaukee to Des Moines?
A bus trip from Milwaukee to Des Moines generates an estimated 12 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and a mode of travel recommended by Busbud.
What is the best bus company from Milwaukee to Des Moines?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Jefferson Lines, with an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars based on 759 reviews.
Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Milwaukee to Des Moines?
Based on Busbud reviews, the bus company Jefferson Lines has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.1.
Which bus company has the best on-time performance from Milwaukee to Des Moines?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual bus company on this route is Jefferson Lines, with a punctuality rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars.
Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Milwaukee to Des Moines?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Jefferson Lines, with a cleanliness rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars.
Find cheapest prices for buses
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
The cheapest trip from Milwaukee to Des Moines was searched and found on Dec 4, 2025 with a price of $90To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Milwaukee to Des Moines, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $90 to $302 for a bus ticket from Milwaukee to Des Moines based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $90 which is on 2025-12-04.
Usually Jefferson Lines will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.
