Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA bus with Greyhound

Wed, Aug 05
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2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest buses from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA

Showing times and prices for Aug 05

Cheapest price

€178

Average price

€195

Fastest journey

1 d 2 h 5 m

Average duration

1 d 4 h 15 m

Buses per day

2

Distance

1436 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA will cost around €195 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €178.

Fast buses

It's difficult to get from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA without transferring at least once.

  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus+Greyhound
    1:20 PM30h25
    Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station
    6:45 PMDes Moines, E Euclid Ave (Clark Lift Of Des Moines, Inc.), IA
    1781One-way
    2 transfers
  • Greyhound ·
    5:50 PM26h05
    Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station
    6:55 PMDes Moines, E Euclid Ave (Clark Lift Of Des Moines, Inc.), IA
    2111One-way
    1 transfer

Travel Information

Compare bus and flight for Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA

Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €119. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 29m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €119, and a flight costs an average of €149.

Distance: 892 miles (1436 km)

Compare bus with

Most popular
Bus
Flight
Driving

€178

Average price

Cheapest

€327

Average price

€225

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

27h 36m

Average total duration

27h 6m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

6h 29m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 29m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

15h 17m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Greyhound

Most popular bus company

United

Most popular airline

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA is a bus with an average price of €178.

This is compared to other travel options from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA:

A bus is €149 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA costing on average €327.

The fastest way to travel from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA is by flight with an average journey time of 3h 29m.

Other travel options to Des Moines, IA take longer:

Bus takes on average 27h 6m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Washington, DC and Des Moines, IA including taking a bus and flight.
We recommend using the bus as it is the most popular way to get from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA among Omio's users.
Take the bus. On this route, it's both cheaper and quicker than driving.

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.

Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA Bus Timetables

OperatorDeparture TimeArrival TimeDurationDeparture daysCheapest price
Operator
FlixBus
Departure Time
01:20PM
Arrival Time
06:45PM
Duration
30h25
Departure days
Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
Cheapest price
95
Operator
Greyhound
Departure Time
05:35PM
Arrival Time
06:55PM
Duration
26h20
Departure days
Mon
Cheapest price
89
Operator
Greyhound
Departure Time
05:50PM
Arrival Time
06:55PM
Duration
26h05
Departure days
Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
Cheapest price
99

Live departures

Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA bus times

The table below shows live departures for Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA buses for today, Tuesday, August 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
Greyhound · 5:50 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station
26h05
6:55 PM Des Moines, E Euclid Ave (Clark Lift Of Des Moines, Inc.), IA1 transfer

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA 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.

Tue
Aug 04
Wed
Aug 05
Thu
Aug 06
Fri
Aug 07
Sat
Aug 08
Sun
Aug 09
Mon
Aug 10

Why should you book Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA buses with Omio?

Greyhound operates all buses services from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA.

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 Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA.

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 Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA

USAUSA
USAUSA
Icon of bus

Buses from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA run on average 2 times per day, taking around 27h 6m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €119 if you book in advance.

The earliest bus runs at 05:30, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 892 miles (1436 km) distance in 26h 0m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
892 miles (1436 km)
Average bus duration
27h 6m
Cheapest ticket price
€119
Buses per day
2
Fastest bus
26h 0m
First bus
5:30 AM
Last bus
11:55 PM
Cheapest Month
Sep
Cheapest Day
Wed
High Season
Jul - Sep
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Best time to book
4 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Bus providers: Greyhound from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IAYou can travel by bus between Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA with Greyhound for as low as €119. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

Greyhound

About
Greyhound Lines, Inc. is a prominent American intercity bus transportation provider, established in 1914. It operates the largest intercity bus network in the United States, also extending services to Canada and Mexico. Greyhound is known for offering affordable and reliable long-distance travel, connecting major cities and rural communities across North America. The company's buses are equipped with amenities such as free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and extra legroom to enhance passenger comfort. Greyhound is a subsidiary of Flix SE, which also owns FlixBus, and together they offer an extensive network of over 1,600 destinations.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
26h 0m
Cheapest Price
€119
Greyhound frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 25 lbs (11 kg) and one checked bag up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
Additional luggage
$15 per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket for a refund or exchange up to 24 hours before departure, for a cancellation fee applied.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed.

FAQs: Bus from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Washington, DC 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.

FAQs
Cheap bus tickets from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA can start from as little as €119 when you book in advance. The average bus ticket price for Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA is €178 ; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by bus from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA is 26h 0m to travel the 892 miles (1436 km) long journey. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest bus from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA leaves at 5:30 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest bus from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA leaves at 11:55 PM.
There are 2 buses a day from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA which require at least one change with Greyhound. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer buses.
When taking a bus from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA, you can count on Greyhound for the best way to get you to Des Moines, IA. You can also check all possible bus companies who offer a service between Washington, DC and Des Moines, IA and compare the amenities they offer before buying a bus ticket.
A trip to Des Moines, IA from Washington, DC is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 26h 0m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a bus from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA is September.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Washington, DC and Des Moines, IA including taking a bus and flight.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the bus from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA:
  • Greyhound
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the bus from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA for bus company Greyhound.
Whether you can cancel your bus ticket from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA depends on the bus companies:
  • Greyhound
    • You can cancel your ticket for a refund or exchange up to 24 hours before departure, for a cancellation fee applied.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the bus with bus company Greyhound.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the bus from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a bus ticket from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA:
  • Greyhound
    • One carry-on bag up to 25 lbs (11 kg) and one checked bag up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a bus ticket from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA:
  • Greyhound
    • $15 per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the bus from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA.
You can reserve your seat on the bus from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA with the following bus company: Greyhound
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the bus from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA with the following bus company: Greyhound.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the bus from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA with the following bus company: Greyhound.
Since neither Washington, DC nor Des Moines, IA are in the Schengen Area, passport requirements depend on the specific immigration rules of United States and United States. Entry and visa requirements can be subject to change. For the latest information, check with your destination's embassy or consulate.
We recommend using the bus as it is the most popular way to get from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA among Omio's users.
The currency used in the United States is the US Dollar (USD). For travelers, using cards is generally more convenient and widely accepted, especially credit and debit cards, while cash is useful for small purchases or places that do not accept cards.
In Des Moines, IA, travelers should be cautious of pickpocketing and occasional vehicle break-ins, especially in crowded areas and parking lots. Common scams include fake ticket sellers for local events and unofficial ride services. Staying alert in busy downtown spots and using authorized transportation options helps ensure safety.
Pack lightweight, versatile clothing suitable for the destination's climate, and use secure, lockable luggage to protect belongings. Keep essential items like travel documents, medication, and valuables in a carry-on bag for easy access. Use packing organizers or cubes to maximize space and maintain order. Lastly, include a small first aid kit and personal hygiene items for added comfort during travel.

popular bus stations

Popular bus stations from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA

Most Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA buses use the Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station to station pair. Use this guide to compare Washington, DC and Des Moines, IA bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Washington
Arrival bus stations in Des Moines

Which Washington, DC station do buses to Des Moines, IA leave from?

Buses from Washington, DC to Des Moines, IA leave from Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station. The station is 1 miles (3 km) from Washington, DC city centre at 50 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002, USA.
Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station50 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002, USAWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station from Washington city centre

Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station is 2 km from Washington city centre. Public transport options include:

BusD30 · 15m · €3 · every ~10 min
281, 481, 483, 484, 486 · 19m · €2 · every ~1 min
SubwayR · 5m · €2 · every ~27 min

Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station bus station facilities and services

Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.

Food and drink

Food options include: McDonald's (in the station), Shake Shack (in the station)

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and food court.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station: Elevators, ramps.

Most popular buses to and from Des Moines, IA and Washington, DC

HomeBusesBuses in USABus tickets to Des Moines, IAWashington, DC to Des Moines, IA bus

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