The cheapest and fastest buses from Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WI
Cheapest price
$117
Average price
$117
Fastest journey
11 h 35 m
Average duration
11 h 35 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
495 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WI is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WI will cost around $117 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $117.
Of the 1 buses that leave Des Moines, IA for Milwaukee, WI on Mon, May 18, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, May 18 the direct buses cover the 495 km distance in an average of 11 h 35 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 11 h 35 m .
On Mon, May 18 the slowest buses will take 11 h 35 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
11:30 AM11h35Des Moines, IA11:05 PMMilwaukee, WI$1171One-way0 transfers
11:30 AM11h35Des Moines, IA11:05 PMMilwaukee, WI$1171One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus and flight for Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WI
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WI among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $71. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 7h 12m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $71, and a flight costs an average of $185.
Distance: 307 miles (495 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$111 Average price Cheapest | $354 Average price | $73 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
10h 17m Average total duration 9h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 12m Average total duration Fastest 7h 12m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 27m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WI:
A bus is $243 (€196) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WI costing on average $354 (€286).
Other travel options to Milwaukee, WI take longer:
Bus takes on average 9h 47m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WI Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 04:30AM | Arrival Time 11:20PM | Duration 18h50 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $225 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:30AM | Arrival Time 04:45PM | Duration 11h15 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $121 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:45AM | Arrival Time 11:45PM | Duration 14h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $161 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 09:45PM | Duration 11h15 | Departure days Tue, Fri | Cheapest price $72 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 11:05PM | Duration 11h35 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $93 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:20PM | Arrival Time 04:45AM | Duration 14h25 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $121 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 06:20PM | Duration 18h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $216 |
Live departures
Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WI bus times
The table below shows live departures for Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WI buses for today, Sunday, May 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
· | 9:45 AM Des Moines, E Euclid Ave (Clark Lift Of Des Moines, Inc.), IA | 14h00 | 11:45 PM Milwaukee, Intermodal Station | 1 transfer | |
· | 11:30 PM Des Moines, Grand Ave & 10th St | 18h50 | 6:20 PM Milwaukee | 1 transfer | |
| Monday, May 18 | |||||
![]() | 11:30 AM Des Moines, IA | 11h35 | 11:05 PM Milwaukee, WI | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WI by bus or flight
Compare bus and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
May 18
May 19
May 20
May 21
May 22
May 23
May 24
Why should you book Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WI buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Greyhound?
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Greyhound with all available travel options, which are bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WI.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WI.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WI
Buses from Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WI run on average 3 times per day, taking around 9h 47m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $71 (€57) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 03:20, the last at 09:45. The fastest bus covers the 307 miles (495 km) distance in 11h 15m.
Distance 307 miles (495 km) |
Average bus duration 9h 47m |
Cheapest ticket price $71 (€57) |
Buses per day 3 |
Fastest bus 11h 15m |
First bus 3:20 AM |
Last bus 9:45 AM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Bus providers: Greyhound from Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WIYou can travel by bus between Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WI with Greyhound for as low as $71 (€57). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
Greyhound
FAQs: Bus from Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WI
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WI by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Milwaukee, WI, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- Greyhound
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Greyhound
- You can cancel your ticket for a refund or exchange up to 24 hours before departure, for a cancellation fee applied.
- Greyhound
- One carry-on bag up to 25 lbs (11 kg) and one checked bag up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
- Greyhound
- $15 per additional bag.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WI
Most popular bus connections from Des Moines, IA
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