Previously seen trips
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bus | Iowa City | Des Moines (Subway) | No tags | ||||
| Bus | Iowa City | Des Moines (Subway) | No tags | ||||
| Bus | Iowa City | Des Moines (Subway) | No tags | ||||
| Bus | Iowa City | Des Moines (Subway) | No tags | ||||
| Bus | Iowa City | Des Moines (Subway) | No tags |
Get from Iowa City to Des Moines
The journey takes about 2 hours 15 minutes and with fares starting at just $29, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Where are the popular stops in Iowa City and Des Moines?
Stops in Iowa City
- A
Court Street Bus Station
170 E Court St, Iowa City, IA 52240, 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
Compare bus companies
Frequently asked questions about traveling from Iowa City 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 Iowa City to Des Moines?
The cheapest bus tickets from Iowa City to Des Moines start from $29. The average price for this route is around $34. 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 Iowa City to Des Moines?
The average bus trip duration from Iowa City to Des Moines is 2h 15m, covering a distance of 106 miles (171 km). The quickest bus can get you there in 1h 55m and is operated by Burlington Trailways.
Which bus companies service the Iowa City to Des Moines route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 2 buses available per day, including services from Greyhound, Burlington Trailways.
What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from Iowa City to Des Moines?
The earliest bus departs from Iowa City to Des Moines at 12:20pm. And the latest bus departs at 4:20pm.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Iowa City to Des Moines?
A bus trip from Iowa City to Des Moines generates an estimated 4 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and recommended mode of travel by Busbud.
What is the best bus company from Iowa City to Des Moines?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Burlington Trailways, with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 20 reviews.
Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Iowa City to Des Moines?
Based on reviews on Busbud, the bus company Burlington Trailways has the best Wi-Fi rating with a score of 5.0.
Which bus company has the most timely service from Iowa City to Des Moines?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most timely bus company on this route is Burlington Trailways, with a punctuality rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.
Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Iowa City to Des Moines?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Burlington Trailways, with a cleanliness rating of 5.0 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 Iowa City to Des Moines was searched and found on Nov 27, 2025 with a price of $26To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Iowa City to Des Moines, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $26 to $64 for a bus ticket from Iowa City to Des Moines based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $30 which is on 2025-11-30.
