- Must visit
Des Moines Art Center
Major contemporary and modern art museum with a respected collection and notable architecture by Eliel Saarinen, I. M. Pei, and Richard Meier.
Cheapest price
$137
Average price
$139
Fastest journey
1 d 4 h 25 m
Average duration
1 d 6 h 4 m
Buses per day
10
Distance
1641 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from New York, NY 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 New York, NY to Des Moines, IA will cost around $139 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $137.
It's difficult to get from New York, NY to Des Moines, IA without transferring at least 2 times.
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· Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from New York, NY to Des Moines, IA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $128. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 1m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $128, and a flight costs an average of $158.
Distance: 1019 miles (1641 km)
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$251 Average price Cheapest | $366 Average price | $261 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
30h 57m Average total duration 30h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 1m Average total duration Fastest 4h 1m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 16h 43m 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 New York, NY to Des Moines, IA:
A bus is $115 (€93) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from New York, NY to Des Moines, IA costing on average $366 (€297).
Other travel options to Des Moines, IA take longer:
Bus takes on average 30h 27m.
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 05:50AM | Arrival Time 06:45PM | Duration 37h55 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $141 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:55AM | Arrival Time 06:45PM | Duration 33h50 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $144 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:15AM | Arrival Time 06:55PM | Duration 33h40 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $137 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:45AM | Arrival Time 06:45PM | Duration 33h00 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $137 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 06:55PM | Duration 32h55 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $138 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 11:45PM | Duration 36h15 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $198 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 12:35AM | Duration 36h35 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $186 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 11:55PM | Duration 34h25 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $202 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:35PM | Arrival Time 06:55PM | Duration 30h20 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $138 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:45PM | Arrival Time 11:55PM | Duration 34h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $298 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:55PM | Arrival Time 11:45PM | Duration 33h50 | Departure days Tue, Sat | Cheapest price $232 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 06:55PM | Duration 29h55 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $140 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:15PM | Arrival Time 11:55PM | Duration 33h40 | Departure days Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $185 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:45PM | Arrival Time 11:45PM | Duration 33h00 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $199 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:45PM | Arrival Time 11:35PM | Duration 32h50 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $242 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:10PM | Arrival Time 06:55PM | Duration 28h45 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $138 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 06:55PM | Duration 28h25 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $138 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 11:35PM | Duration 31h35 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $249 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 06:45PM | Duration 51h15 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $139 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 12:35AM | Duration 31h35 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $212 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 12:35AM | Duration 31h05 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $212 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:35PM | Arrival Time 11:35PM | Duration 30h00 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $263 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:35PM | Arrival Time 12:35AM | Duration 30h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $316 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 12:35AM | Duration 29h35 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $276 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 11:55PM | Duration 28h25 | Departure days Mon, Sat | Cheapest price $213 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:30PM | Arrival Time 12:35AM | Duration 28h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Sat | Cheapest price $246 |
The table below shows live departures for New York, NY to Des Moines, IA buses for today, Tuesday, June 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1:55 PM New York, NY | 33h50 | 11:45 PM Des Moines, IA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:35 PM New York, NY | 30h00 | 11:35 PM Des Moines, IA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:30 PM New York, NY | 28h05 | 12:35 AM Des Moines, IA | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 New York, NY to Des Moines, IA run on average 6 times per day, taking around 30h 27m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $128 (€104) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 01:05, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 1019 miles (1641 km) distance in 28h 5m.
Distance 1019 miles (1641 km) |
Average bus duration 30h 27m |
Cheapest ticket price $128 (€104) |
Buses per day 6 |
Fastest bus 28h 5m |
First bus 1:05 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 6 days |
Discover the best of Des Moines — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Des Moines trip today.
Major contemporary and modern art museum with a respected collection and notable architecture by Eliel Saarinen, I. M. Pei, and Richard Meier.
Museum covering Iowa history through permanent and rotating exhibits, located in the State Historical Building near the Capitol complex.
Historic house museum inspired by English manor architecture, featuring art, books, antiques, and landscaped grounds.
Downtown sculpture park featuring major contemporary works in an open urban green space, highly popular for walks and photos.
Trendy neighborhood east of the river known for independent shops, murals, historic streetscapes, and a lively local atmosphere.
Signature downtown walking area along the Des Moines River with bridges, lighting, event spaces, and skyline views.
An Iowa classic: a pork cutlet pounded thin, breaded, fried, and 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 tenderness and natural sweetness. It is commonly eaten grilled, boiled, or buttered at fairs, cookouts, and seasonal meals.
A seasoned ground beef sandwich served loose on a bun rather than formed into a patty. It is a longtime Midwestern lunch-counter favorite strongly associated with Iowa.
A respected fine-dining venue in a historic house, serving refined American and Italian-influenced dishes in an intimate setting. A strong choice for a special night out.
An upscale steakhouse known for classic service, prime steaks, and an elegant atmosphere. It is one of Des Moines' best-known options for a high-end dinner.
A popular Des Moines burger spot known for creative burgers, boozy shakes, and a lively horror-themed atmosphere. A dependable place to try a strong local casual dining favorite.
Moderate by U.S. standards. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than in major coastal cities, though downtown and event periods cost more.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Tip bartenders USD 1-2 per drink, taxis 10-15%, hotel staff USD 2-5, and round up for casual services.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from New York, NY 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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