There are 9 ways to get from California to Ames by plane, shuttle, train, bus, bus (Greyhound), or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly from Los Angeles International Airport, shuttle
best- Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Des Moines (DSM)plane LAX - DSM
- Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
6h 20m$178–483Fly from San Diego International Airport, shuttle
cheapest- Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Des Moines (DSM)plane SAN - DSM
- Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
7h 35m$162–575Train, bus
- Take the train from Los Angeles to Kansas Citytrain Southwest Chief
- Take the bus from Kansas City to Amesbus Jefferson Lines 804 / ...
41h 13m$1,042–1,599Bus
- Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Tulsa Bus Stationbus Greyhound US1210
- Take the bus from Tulsa to Amesbus Jefferson Lines 802
43h 25m$377–555Drive 1,710.1 mi
- Drive from Los Angeles to Amescar 1,710.1 mi
26h 47m$283–408Fly from Sacramento International Airport, shuttle
- Fly from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Des Moines (DSM)plane SMF - DSM
- Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
7h 53m$202–563Fly from Long Beach Airport, shuttle
- Fly from Long Beach Airport (LGB) to Des Moines (DSM)plane LGB - DSM
- Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
7h 45m$241–941Fly from John Wayne Airport Orange County, shuttle
- Fly from John Wayne Airport Orange County (SNA) to Des Moines (DSM)plane SNA - DSM
- Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
7h 42m$204–564Fly from Fresno Yosemite International Airport, shuttle
- Fly from Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) to Des Moines (DSM)plane FAT - DSM
- Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
8h 42m$176–641
California to Ames by train, foot, and bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from California to Ames is to drive which costs $280 - $410 and takes 26h 47m.
The fastest way to get from California to Ames is to fly and shuttle which takes 6h 20m and costs $170 - $490.
No, there is no direct bus from California station to Ames. However, there are services departing from Los Angeles Union Station and arriving at Ames via Tulsa. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 43h 25m.
The distance between California and Ames is 1509 miles. The road distance is 1720.1 miles.
The best way to get from California to Ames without a car is to train and bus which takes 41h 13m and costs $1,000 - $1,600.
It takes approximately 6h 20m to get from California to Ames, including transfers.
California to Ames bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Los Angeles Union Station.
California to Ames bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Tulsa Bus Station.
Ames is 2h ahead of California. It is currently 2:52 AM in California and 4:52 AM in Ames.
Yes, the driving distance between California to Ames is 1720 miles. It takes approximately 26h 47m to drive from California to Ames.
What companies run services between California, USA and Ames, IA, USA?
You can take a bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Ames via Tulsa in around 43h 25m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 2m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $75–360
Flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Des Moines via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 20m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $75–360
Flights from Sacramento International Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 40m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $100–480
Flights from Sacramento International Airport to Des Moines via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 35m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $110–500
Flights from Sacramento International Airport to Des Moines via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 40m
- When
- Monday, Friday, Sunday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $120–550
Flights from Sacramento International Airport to Des Moines via Chicago Midway
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–600
Flights from Long Beach Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 7m
- When
- Monday to Thursday
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Long Beach Airport to Des Moines via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 10m
- When
- Saturday
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Long Beach Airport to Des Moines via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 45m
- When
- Saturday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Long Beach Airport to Des Moines via Chicago Midway
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 32m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $210–900
Flights from Long Beach Airport to Des Moines via Salt Lake City, Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 8h
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $170–800
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80–380
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Des Moines via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 42m
- When
- Thursday and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $80–380
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Des Moines via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 17m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $80–380
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Des Moines via Chicago Midway
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 20m
- When
- Monday and Thursday
- Estimated price
- $100–450
Flights from John Wayne Airport Orange County to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 15m
- When
- Monday to Thursday
- Estimated price
- $100–480
Flights from John Wayne Airport Orange County to Des Moines via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 5m
- When
- Monday and Thursday
- Estimated price
- $100–490
Flights from John Wayne Airport Orange County to Des Moines via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $100–480
Flights from Fresno Yosemite International Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 5m
- When
- Saturday
- Estimated price
- $95–450
Flights from Fresno Yosemite International Airport to Des Moines via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 57m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $95–450
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–360
Flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Des Moines via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 31m
- When
- Monday to Thursday
- Estimated price
- $80–370
Flights from Sacramento International Airport to Des Moines via Los Angeles International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 56m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–550
Flights from Sacramento International Airport to Des Moines via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 44m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–600
Flights from Sacramento International Airport to Des Moines via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 46m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–550
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Des Moines via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 32m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $80–380
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Des Moines via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 57m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $95–420
Flights from John Wayne Airport Orange County to Des Moines via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 29m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–490
Flights from John Wayne Airport Orange County to Des Moines via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–550
Flights from Fresno Yosemite International Airport to Des Moines via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 19m
- When
- Friday
- Estimated price
- $100–480
Flights from Fresno Yosemite International Airport to Des Moines via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 59m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–550
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 31m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–360
Flights from Sacramento International Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 29m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–480
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 34m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80–380
Flights from John Wayne Airport Orange County to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 28m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–480
Flights from Fresno Yosemite International Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 31m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $95–450
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Des Moines via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 2m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $90–400
Flights from Sacramento International Airport to Des Moines via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–550
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Des Moines via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 4m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $95–420
Flights from John Wayne Airport Orange County to Des Moines via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 26m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $120–550
- Website
- flyfrontier.com
Flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 57m
- When
- Monday and Friday
- Estimated price
- $90–280
Flights from Sacramento International Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 36m
- When
- Monday and Friday
- Estimated price
- $120–370
Flights from John Wayne Airport Orange County to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 57m
- When
- Monday and Friday
- Estimated price
- $120–370
- Website
- allegiantair.com
Flights from John Wayne Airport Orange County to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 16m
- When
- Sunday, Monday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $100–480
Flights from Fresno Yosemite International Airport to Des Moines via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 37m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $95–450
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Los Angeles to Kansas City
- Ave. Duration
- 35h 7m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $950–1,600
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 320.253.2226
- Website
- Executive Express
Shuttle from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $80–190
- Website
- Executive Express
- Schedules at
- Executive Express Coverage Areas for Minnesota and Iowa
Shuttle from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $80–190
- Website
- Executive Express
- Schedules at
- Executive Express Coverage Areas for Minnesota and Iowa
Shuttle from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $80–190
- Website
- Executive Express
- Schedules at
- Executive Express Coverage Areas for Minnesota and Iowa
Shuttle from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $80–190
- Website
- Executive Express
- Schedules at
- Executive Express Coverage Areas for Minnesota and Iowa
Shuttle from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $80–190
- Website
- Executive Express
- Schedules at
- Executive Express Coverage Areas for Minnesota and Iowa
Shuttle from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $80–190
- Website
- Executive Express
- Schedules at
- Executive Express Coverage Areas for Minnesota and Iowa
- Phone
- +1-858-800-8898
- Website
- jeffersonlines.com
Bus from Kansas City to Ames
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 20m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $55–85
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $55–85
Bus from Tulsa to Ames
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 50m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $110–160
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $110–160
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Tulsa Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 32h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $260–400
- Website
- Greyhound
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Booking & Getting There
There are 56+ hotels available in Ames.

















