- Must visit
Des Moines Art Center
Leading contemporary and modern art museum with notable architecture and a respected permanent collection; a top cultural stop in the city.
Cheapest price
$319
Average price
$319
Fastest journey
1 d 10 h 25 m
Average duration
1 d 10 h 25 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
1648 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA will cost around $319 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $319.
Of the 1 buses that leave Jacksonville, FL for Des Moines, IA on Tue, May 19, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, May 19 the direct buses cover the 1648 km distance in an average of 1 d 10 h 25 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 d 10 h 25 m .
On Tue, May 19 the slowest buses will take 1 d 10 h 25 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.


Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $184. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 55m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $184, and a flight costs an average of $534.
Distance: 1024 miles (1648 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$255 Average price Cheapest | $554 Average price | $245 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
29h 3m Average total duration 28h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 55m Average total duration Fastest 3h 55m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 18h 30m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA:
A bus is $299 (€242) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA costing on average $554 (€448).
Other travel options to Des Moines, IA take longer:
Bus takes on average 28h 33m.
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.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:25AM | Arrival Time 07:35PM | Duration 42h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $261 |
Operator Greyhound USA | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 06:35PM | Duration 33h05 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $316 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 11:55PM | Duration 34h25 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $319 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:30PM | Arrival Time 04:45AM | Duration 32h15 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $184 |
Operator Flixbus USA | Departure Time 09:25PM | Arrival Time 02:35PM | Duration 41h10 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $285 |
The table below shows live departures for Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA buses for today, Monday, May 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:30 AM Jacksonville, FL | 33h05 | 6:35 PM Des Moines, IA | 2 transfers | |
![]() | 9:25 PM Jacksonville, FL | 41h10 | 2:35 PM Des Moines, IA | 2 transfers | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA run on average 2 times per day, taking around 28h 33m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $184 (€148) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 04:55, the last at 21:25. The fastest bus covers the 1024 miles (1648 km) distance in 32h 15m.
Distance 1024 miles (1648 km) |
Average bus duration 28h 33m |
Cheapest ticket price $184 (€148) |
Buses per day 2 |
Fastest bus 32h 15m |
First bus 4:55 AM |
Last bus 9:25 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Discover the best of Des Moines — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Des Moines trip today.
Leading contemporary and modern art museum with notable architecture and a respected permanent collection; a top cultural stop in the city.
Museum covering Iowa history through statewide exhibits, artifacts, and rotating displays inside the State Historical Building.
Historic house museum with art, rare books, and grand interiors inspired by English manor architecture; well known for tours and events.
Lively historic district east of the river known for independent shops, murals, restored storefronts, and easy access to the Capitol.
Downtown riverfront walking route with bridges, public art, events spaces, and some of the city’s best skyline perspectives.
Popular urban park with a large lake, illuminated pedestrian bridge, and scenic path favored for walks and sunset views.
An Iowa classic featuring a breaded, fried pork tenderloin cutlet served on a bun, often comically larger than the bread. It is one of the state’s most iconic comfort foods.
Iowa sweet corn is a summer staple, prized for its freshness and sweetness. Locals eat it boiled or grilled with butter at fairs, backyard cookouts, and seasonal farm stands.
A seasoned ground beef sandwich served loose on a bun rather than formed into a patty. It is a longtime Midwestern lunch counter favorite found across Iowa.
A respected fine-dining spot in a historic house, serving Italian-influenced cuisine with a romantic atmosphere and strong local reputation.
An established upscale steakhouse known for prime steaks, seafood, and polished service in an elegant downtown setting.
A well-known contemporary American restaurant in the East Village, popular for refined seasonal dishes and a stylish but approachable atmosphere.
Generally affordable by major U.S. city standards. Hotels and dining are usually moderate, with good budget options.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Tip bartenders USD 1-2 per drink, taxis about 10-15%, and hotel staff a few USD.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA 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 Des Moines, IA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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