Getting Around Des Moines
Des Moines is a car-oriented Midwestern city, and the majority of area residents get around by car. For a visitor, that shapes the practical reality of getting around: a car — whether brought along or rented — makes it much easier to reach the city's spread-out sights, while downtown itself can be covered on foot and by a free shuttle. Public transport exists and is usable, but it is built around getting residents to work rather than sightseeing.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Des Moines has no local rail, metro, or tram network. The nearest Amtrak service is not in the city at all: the closest station is in Osceola, well south of Des Moines. Osceola offers few traveler services beyond a casino to pass the time, so it is best to plan any extensive overnight stay in Des Moines rather than in Osceola. It is possible to connect between the two by Jefferson Lines bus, which leaves from the Osceola Amtrak station and arrives at the bus station in Des Moines.
Buses and Public Transport
Local bus service is provided by Des Moines Area Regional Transit (DART). Routes run throughout the day, with some routes operating well into the evening. The network includes regular, express, commuter, and downtown shuttle routes, and also offers door-to-door pickup and para-transit services. Most buses can accommodate bicycles on board.
- Fares and passes: A regular fare is $1.75, and an express fare is $2. Bus passes can be purchased through MTA.
- Free downtown loop: The D-Line shuttle (route 42) is a free bus that loops through downtown, running from Western Greenway Park to the State Capitol Building along Grand Avenue and Locust Street. It stops at several downtown hotels, the State Historical Society of Iowa Museum, city hall, and the central public library. It operates Monday through Friday from 6:30AM to 6PM.
- Contact: DART can be reached at +1 515-283-8100.
For intercity travel, the Burlington Trailways–Jefferson Lines bus terminal is at 1501 2nd Ave. Greyhound does not serve Des Moines directly, but offers through-ticketing with both of those bus lines.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxi service is available in Des Moines, with companies operating around the clock.
- Capitol Cab Company — +1 515-282-8111, 24 hours
- Yellow Cab Company — +1 515-243-1111, 24 hours
Walkability and Bicycles
Downtown Des Moines is compact enough to explore on foot, and the free D-Line shuttle makes it easy to move between downtown hotels, museums, and civic buildings without a car. Beyond downtown, the city spreads out, so walking is less practical for reaching destinations across the metro.
Cycling is a realistic option. Drivers are generally courteous, and there is ample shoulder room or sidewalks. Some corridors into downtown have bike-only lanes, and all city buses allow bikes on board. Bike sharing is available through Des Moines B-Cycle, which has stations in downtown and costs $6 per 24 hours.
The city also has hundreds of miles of paved hike-and-bike paths, many of them interconnected, making long rides possible while avoiding busy streets. Most are smooth asphalt, while others are pea gravel in good condition. Some are converted railroad rights of way and others pass through area parks. There are trails along both the Des Moines River and the Raccoon River, with multiple trailheads where you can park your car — several of them close to area craft breweries. Notable trails include:
- Chichaqua Valley Trail — 25 miles of paved trail
- Neal Smith Trail — 26-mile paved trail along the Des Moines River from downtown Des Moines to Saylorville Lake
- Clive Greenbelt Trail — 12 miles of paved trails through suburban parks and greenspaces
- High Trestle Trail — a converted railroad right of way, now a 25-mile ride through rural areas north of Des Moines, with a bridge over the Des Moines River as a highlight
- Meredith Trail — a 5-mile pea-gravel trail from Principal Park in downtown Des Moines along the Raccoon River to Grays Park, which has another 2-mile trail around the lake
Driving in the City
If you do drive, the main thoroughfare through the downtown area is I-235, which is free of tolls. Traffic on I-235 is usually heavier, particularly during the morning and evening rush hours (7AM–8AM and 4:30PM–6PM), and the speed limit there is 5–10 mph lower than on I-80/I-35. Downtown has several one-way streets to ease traffic flow during rush hours; left turns are allowed unless otherwise designated.
Street naming takes some getting used to. The Des Moines River marks whether a street carries an "East" prefix — this matters most for north-south streets, where "1st Ave" and "E 1st Ave" are completely different streets on opposite sides of the river. East-west streets that exist on both sides typically take an "East" prefix if east of the river, and "West" prefixes are less common. Some streets, such as Grand Avenue, run on both sides: it is "E Grand Ave" east of the river but simply "Grand Ave" west of it. The "SE" and "SW" demarcations are more ambiguous, but generally refer to streets south of Grand Ave/E Grand Ave and on either the western or eastern side of the river.
Winter driving deserves attention. The colder months (November through February) often bring snow and ice to area roads. Visitors who park their cars should be prepared in case their car is "snowed in" by snow removal trucks, and should pay strict attention to parking rules and snow emergencies to avoid being towed at the owner's expense. A snow brush, ice scraper, and plenty of windshield washer fluid are essential, and many locals carry a shovel, some sand, and a bag of ice melt or road salt in the trunk.
Gasoline is reasonably cheap in the Des Moines area, partly because of subsidies for ethanol, which is widely available at most gas stations. The most popular blend, 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline, is generally considered safe for newer autos — not to be confused with the 85% ethanol/15% gasoline blend.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is at 5800 Fleur Dr and can be reached at +1 515-256-5050. The airport is fairly small for a major airport, consisting of a single terminal. Although it had a reputation for being expensive in the past, many flights are now more affordable, and usage has been breaking records year after year. Airlines serving Des Moines include Allegiant Air, American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, and United, all operating non-stop flights between Des Moines and their respective major hubs.
For getting into the city from the airport:
- Hotel shuttles: Most hotels offer free shuttle service.
- Rental cars: Rental cars are available at the airport, with Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National located next to the baggage claim area. There are other rental locations throughout the city as well. Long-term parking varies in price from $5–12 per day.
- Taxis: Capitol Cab Company (+1 515-282-8111) and Yellow Cab Company (+1 515-243-1111) both operate 24 hours.
Arriving by Car or Bus
Most travelers to Des Moines arrive via interstate, on either I-80 (from the east or west) or I-35 (from the north or south). There are no tollways and no major traffic jams to worry about. Once in the area, those heading into the city proper use I-235. Semi-trailers passing through are advised to avoid I-235 because traffic is usually heavier there. Safe-driving tips, road closures due to weather and construction, and other information are available from the Iowa Department of Transportation, and Wi-Fi is available throughout the state at public rest areas.
By bus, Burlington Trailways and Jefferson Lines serve the terminal at 1501 2nd Ave. Burlington Trailways can be reached at +1 515-243-5283 or toll-free at +1-800-992-4618.