Transportation to Ames, Iowa and Iowa State University
Transportation Coordinator: Tim Dudley, Ames Laboratory, Ames, IA tim@si.fi.ameslab.gov
This page was up-dated: March 14, 2004.
There are three ways to get to the 18th BCCE in Ames, Iowa: bus, car (truck, van) or plane. The information on this page should help you plan your trip. If you are flying into the Des Moines Int'l airport and need travel between Des Moines and Ames and back, ISU Conference Service will organize a bus shuttle service. Requests for this shuttle service, $25 one-way or $50 round trip, will be included on the on-line registration link and in the 18th BCCE Registration Book..
By car, van, or truck. Getting to Ames
No matter how or when you travel to the 18th BCCE it will be an adventure. Iowa State University is located in Ames, Iowa about 40 miles north of Des Moines, IA, just West of the junction of two highways: I-35 and US 30. Ames, may seem like it is on the Dark Side of the Moon.
Ames is a four hour drive South from Minneapolis, MN or North from Kansas City, MO, both on I-35, or a four hour drive from Lincoln, NE East on I-80. From Chicago, it is a 5.5 hour drive. From Denver, CO, it is an easy 12 hour drive (all downhill) on I-80 East.
Just as Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" music coincides and syncs with the movie "Wizard of Oz", David Gilmour used the landscape of Iowa to sync two other Pink Floyd CDs/alblums. If you are travelling by car east on I-80 start "Signs of Life" from "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" one mile before you cross the Mississippi River into Davenport, IA. If you are travelling by car west on I-80 start "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" from the "Wish You Were Here" CD in Omaha, one mile before the Missouri River before you cross over into Council Bluffs, IA.
Tavel directions to Ames and ISU Campus.
By Air. Des Moines Airport (DSM) is served by most major airlines. Special discount fares will be available through Travel and Transport (1-800-747-8182), the official travel agent for the conference. Most major car rental agencies are located in the Des Moines air terminal. Avis is the official rental car company of the 18BCCE.There are no public transportation services operating between Des Moines and Ames. If you fly into Des Moines and do not rent a car, you will need to request a round-trip van service ($50) from ISU Conference Service when you register for the conference (beginning April 1, 2004). The van services the ISU dorms and hotels in Ames. For more details click-here.
By Private Plane. Ames has a small airport that serves private planes. The Ames airport is located on Airport Road. Click on the following link for more details. Ames small plane private airport.
By Rail. There is no Amtrak or other passenger train service to Ames. The closest Amtrak train station is in Osceola, IA. Don't even think about it. There is no transportation service between Ottumwa and Ames. The Union-Pacific rail lines has two tracks that run through Ames. There are over 60 UP freight trains that go through Ames each day.
By Bus. Ames has a major bus station located near the darkness on the edge of town.It is a 1.5 mile hike from the bus station to the MWL Dorm complex. A taxi service is available and there is a CY-RIDE bus stop near-by. For more details click-on the following link. . Ames "Greyhound Bus Lines" and Bus Depot information.
This page was up-dated on January 13, 2004 by Tom Greenbowe, Department. of Chemistry, ISU.
