Want to see Drake, Iowa, ISU play in March Madness? Your best bet is driving not flying

It's officially March Madness season again, and fans are traveling all across the U.S. to support their favorite men's and women's college basketball teams.

But if you're planning to travel from Iowa to watch Drake, the University of Iowa or Iowa State, you're probably better off driving than try to catch a flight for a tournament game. Here's why.

How to get to Drake men's basketball vs. Missouri

Drake's Cam Manyawu (3) celebrates a score against UNI on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, at the Knapp Center.

Drake basketball has become a trendy choice to make a surprise run at the NCAA Tournament this month. That will be put to the test against No. 6 seed Missouri on Thursday, March 20, at 6:35 p.m. Central in Wichita, Kansas.

The drive from Des Moines to Wichita is a bit over 5 hours. For a flight from Des Moines to Wichita, you'll have to pay $400-$600 per ticket and have a layover in Chicago or Denver.

Plus, it'll take at least six hours.

How to get to Iowa State men's basketball vs. Lipscomb

Iowa State Cyclones forward Milan Momcilovic (22) drives with the ball around BYU Cougars's forward Richie Saunders (15) during the first half of the Big-12 men’s basketball in the Senior Day at Hilton Coliseum on March 4, 2025, in Ames, Iowa.

Iowa State men's basketball is a No. 3 seed in the South region of the 2025 NCAA Tournament and will face No. 14 Lipscomb in the first round on Friday, March 21, at 12:30 p.m. Central at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

The drive to Milwaukee is also just over 5 hours from Des Moines. While there are nonstop options for quicker flights, it'll cost over $350.

How to get to Iowa State women's basketball vs. Princeton

Mar 7, 2025; Kansas City, MO; Iowa State Cyclones guard Emily Ryan (11) handles the ball while defended by Baylor Lady Bears guard Sarah Andrews (24) in the second half at T-Mobile Center.

Iowa State women's basketball has made the field of 68 for the NCAA Tournament and will start its march in a 'First Four' contest. Iowa State will play Princeton at 6 p.m. Central on Wednesday, March 19, in South Bend, Indiana.

The drive to South Bend from Des Moines is about six hours. While a flight is only about 4½ hours, with a stop in Minneapolis, flights are over $2,000.

How to get to Iowa women's basketball vs. Murray State

Iowa Hawkeyes forward Hannah Stuelke (45) and her team celebrate Stuelke drawing a foul Friday, March 7, 2025, in a quarterfinals game at the 2025 TIAA Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Buckeyes defeated the Hawkeyes, 60-59.

The University of Iowa’s women's NCAA Tournament path has been cemented, with Jan Jensen’s squad landing a No. 6 seed as expected. The Hawkeyes will head to host Norman, Oklahoma, to play Murray State, beginning at 11 a.m. Central on Saturday, March 22, against No. 11 seed Murray State.

The drive from Des Moines to Norman is just under 8 hours. For a flight from Des Moines, it costs about $570 and takes around 6 hours with a stop in Chicago.

Contributing: Des Moines Register reporters Dargan Southard, Gus Martin and Eli McKown.

Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Drive, don't fly, from Iowa to watch March Madness. Here's why:

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