Chicago to IOWA
Jun 20th, 2005 | 03:46 PM
#2
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 221
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I've lived in Iowa all my life and don't know N Hambold - but do know Fort Dodge. Amtrak does not go to northern Iowa so your choices are probably 1)fly 2)bus or 3)car. I think there is a small regional airport in Fort Dodge but I suspect you don't like small planes from your posting. There may be bus service like Greyhound but that will take forever, because of the frequent stops. Frankly your best bet if you have or can rent a car, is to drive. Take I-90 west out of Chicago and just outside of Rockford get on US 20 going west. It will take you to Fort Dodge. The drive will be 7-8 hours however.
Jun 20th, 2005 | 04:26 PM
#4
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 23,073
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I think you're talking about N Humboldt, IA, which is just north of Fort Dodge.
Greyhound has schedule. Chicago to Ft. Dodge is 16hr10min, with two changes - a 6 hr layover in Des Moines to Jefferson Line and a short switch at Boondocks Junction, which is the intersection of I-35 and US20.
One way fare is $73.
Greyhound has schedule. Chicago to Ft. Dodge is 16hr10min, with two changes - a 6 hr layover in Des Moines to Jefferson Line and a short switch at Boondocks Junction, which is the intersection of I-35 and US20.
One way fare is $73.
Jun 20th, 2005 | 06:47 PM
#6
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 23,073
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koy - Greyhound.com has schedules. There are 4 direct buses a day from Chicago to Des Moines, each taking between 7:10 to 7:55 with about 5-6 stops. But no change.
From Des Moines, you'll switch to Jefferson Lines bus. Their website is jeffersonlines.com, but they don't have an online schedule. From what I'm seeing on Greyhound.com, they only offer one bus each day into Fort Dodge, via a connection at the Flying J Truckstop at Boondocks Junction (I-35 @ US20).
The overnight Chicago bus arrives Des Moines 5:20am, and you have to wait until 11:15am for the Jefferson Line Bus with the connection to Fort Dodge.
Boondocks Junction is about 30 miles from Fort Dodge or 53 miles from Humboldt. I don't know how you're going to get around in that area, but if someone can pick you up at Boondocks Junction, you can get on an earlier bus from Des Moines north, and arrive Boondocks Junction at 6:40am, and avoid that very long wait at Des Moines.
Total trip time from Chicago to Boondocks Junction will be 8hr55min.
If you want to fly, Fort Dodge is served by Northwest Airlink from Minneapolis via Mason City, on a Saab 340 turboprop that seats 34. But with a connection at MSP, and then a stop at Mason City, it'll still take 5+ hours from Chicago O'Hare, and expect fares to be high ($250+ for a roundtrip).
From Des Moines, you'll switch to Jefferson Lines bus. Their website is jeffersonlines.com, but they don't have an online schedule. From what I'm seeing on Greyhound.com, they only offer one bus each day into Fort Dodge, via a connection at the Flying J Truckstop at Boondocks Junction (I-35 @ US20).
The overnight Chicago bus arrives Des Moines 5:20am, and you have to wait until 11:15am for the Jefferson Line Bus with the connection to Fort Dodge.
Boondocks Junction is about 30 miles from Fort Dodge or 53 miles from Humboldt. I don't know how you're going to get around in that area, but if someone can pick you up at Boondocks Junction, you can get on an earlier bus from Des Moines north, and arrive Boondocks Junction at 6:40am, and avoid that very long wait at Des Moines.
Total trip time from Chicago to Boondocks Junction will be 8hr55min.
If you want to fly, Fort Dodge is served by Northwest Airlink from Minneapolis via Mason City, on a Saab 340 turboprop that seats 34. But with a connection at MSP, and then a stop at Mason City, it'll still take 5+ hours from Chicago O'Hare, and expect fares to be high ($250+ for a roundtrip).
