$59 Cheap Flights from Des Moines (DSM) to Washington (DCA)

View $59 flight on Thu, Nov 6, 2025Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

Cheap Flights from Des Moines to Washington (DSM-DCA)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $59 for one-way flights and $118 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Frontier Airlines
Mon, Nov 10 - Thu, Nov 13
DSM
Des Moines
DCA
Washington
$118 Roundtrip, found 19 hours ago
$118
Roundtrip
found 19 hours ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Mon, Nov 10 from Des Moines to Washington, returning Thu, Nov 13, priced at $118 found 19 hours ago
Frontier Airlines
Thu, Nov 13 - Mon, Nov 17
DSM
Des Moines
DCA
Washington
$206 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$206
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Thu, Nov 13 from Des Moines to Washington, returning Mon, Nov 17, priced at $206 found 1 day ago
Frontier Airlines
Thu, Oct 30 - Sun, Nov 2
DSM
Des Moines
DCA
Washington
$212 Roundtrip, found 2 hours ago
$212
Roundtrip
found 2 hours ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Thu, Oct 30 from Des Moines to Washington, returning Sun, Nov 2, priced at $212 found 2 hours ago
Southwest Airlines
Thu, Nov 6 - Thu, Nov 13
DSM
Des Moines
DCA
Washington
$221 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$221
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Thu, Nov 6 from Des Moines to Washington, returning Thu, Nov 13, priced at $221 found 1 day ago
Southwest Airlines
Thu, Nov 6 - Thu, Nov 13
DSM
Des Moines
DCA
Washington
$221 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$221
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Thu, Nov 6 from Des Moines to Washington, returning Thu, Nov 13, priced at $221 found 1 day ago
Frontier Airlines
Thu, Nov 13 - Mon, Nov 17
DSM
Des Moines
DCA
Washington
$242 Roundtrip, found 19 hours ago
$242
Roundtrip
found 19 hours ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Thu, Nov 13 from Des Moines to Washington, returning Mon, Nov 17, priced at $242 found 19 hours ago
Southwest Airlines
Tue, Oct 28 - Thu, Oct 30
DSM
Des Moines
DCA
Washington
$244 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$244
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Tue, Oct 28 from Des Moines to Washington, returning Thu, Oct 30, priced at $244 found 1 day ago
United
Thu, Nov 6 - Thu, Nov 13
DSM
Des Moines
DCA
Washington
$291 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$291
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select United flight, departing Thu, Nov 6 from Des Moines to Washington, returning Thu, Nov 13, priced at $291 found 1 day ago
American Airlines
Thu, Dec 18 - Tue, Jan 13
DSM
Des Moines
DCA
Washington
$293 Roundtrip, found 21 hours ago
$293
Roundtrip
found 21 hours ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Thu, Dec 18 from Des Moines to Washington, returning Tue, Jan 13, priced at $293 found 21 hours ago
Delta
Thu, Nov 13 - Mon, Nov 17
DSM
Des Moines
DCA
Washington
$308 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$308
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Delta flight, departing Thu, Nov 13 from Des Moines to Washington, returning Mon, Nov 17, priced at $308 found 1 day ago

Find the cheapest month to fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Washington (DCA)

November is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $157 - $443 per traveler.

Alternative airports near Washington

Prices were available within the past 7 days. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Select flight to Baltimore Washington Intl. Thurgood Marshall BWI. Average driving time to city center is 40 minutes. Flights from $523
BWI
Baltimore Washington Intl. Thurgood Marshall
Average driving time to city center40 min
Flights from $523
Select flight to Washington Dulles Intl. IAD. Average driving time to city center is 36 minutes. Flights from $531
IAD
Washington Dulles Intl.
Average driving time to city center36 min
Flights from $531

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) cost?
Lock in a cheap one-way flight from $59 or cheap return flight from $118 from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) with Expedia. Enter your travel dates and sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to find our cheapest flight deals on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
Flying in November is a great way to save, as it's the cheapest month for flights between DSM and DCA. You'll often find the lowest prices during the off-season.
Which airlines fly direct from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
When departing from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM), you can get on a direct flight to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) with American Airlines.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
To find the cheapest airline flying from DSM to DCA, use Expedia's filter tool. Customize your search based on what matters most to you, such as preferred carriers and flight duration. You can then sort your results by "Price (lowest to highest)" to list the most affordable options first.
How many flights per day from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
Every day on average, 2 nonstop flights operate from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Select the departure time that best suits your plans.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
The 5 AM departures from DSM to DCA are the top choice for many travelers. Prices can be higher for these popular slots. If you want to save money, choose a less crowded time to fly.
What day of the week has the most flights from DSM to DCA?
Jet off on a Friday if you're looking for the best choice of flights from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
What is the earliest flight from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)'s earliest flight to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is at approximately 5:55AM UTC-6. With a flight time of 2h 34m, you'll touch down at around 9:29AM UTC-5.
How long does it take to fly from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
Flights from DSM to DCA have an average travel time of 2 hours and 29 minutes. The distance between the two airports is 900 mi.
What is the best time to fly from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
Select a flight from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) that leaves before 3 PM to reduce the risk of delays and cancellations. Departures after this time are on average 22% more likely to be canceled.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
What airports do you fly into for Washington from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is the only airport in Washington with direct flights from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM). Consider the options and find cheap fares on Expedia.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) last-minute?
Last-minute fares from DSM to DCA are typically more expensive. For the best rates, start searching for flights as early as possible. That said, if you can play around with your travel dates, it's possible to land a cheap ticket right before your journey.
Is it cheaper to book a DSM to DCA flight and hotel package?
Opting for a DSM to DCA flight and hotel package is usually cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the ease of organizing your trip all in one place. Pick from our extensive range of stays and then add car rentals, activities and flights to your booking. Bundle it all together, and you could save hundreds of dollars.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
You can usually cancel or reschedule your DSM to DCA flight. However, for bookings made more than 24 hours ago, additional charges may apply. Refer to your airline's policies in your itinerary to see what changes are possible and whether any costs are involved. You'll also find more information on our Customer Service portal.

Travel information

Origin airport
Des Moines Intl.
Destination airport
Ronald Reagan Washington National
Airlines serving
American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$118
Distance
894 mi
Average flight time
4 hours 6 mins

Book with confidence

Des Moines to Washington Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Des Moines to Washington

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Des Moines to Washington are during the month of November. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Des Moines to Washington with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Des Moines to Washington

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Des Moines to Washington: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Des Moines to Washington

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Des Moines to Washington in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $59 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Des Moines to Washington flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Des Moines to Washington airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Des Moines to Washington Flights

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*Available to One Key members.