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

View $59 flight on Thu, Nov 13, 2025Opens in a new window

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

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

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
Thu, Nov 13 - Mon, Nov 17
DCA
Washington
DSM
Des Moines
$118 Roundtrip, found 2 hours ago
$118
Roundtrip
found 2 hours ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Thu, Nov 13 from Washington to Des Moines, returning Mon, Nov 17, priced at $118 found 2 hours ago
Frontier Airlines
Thu, Nov 13 - Thu, Nov 20
DCA
Washington
DSM
Des Moines
$206 Roundtrip, found 3 hours ago
$206
Roundtrip
found 3 hours ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Thu, Nov 13 from Washington to Des Moines, returning Thu, Nov 20, priced at $206 found 3 hours ago
Frontier Airlines
Fri, Nov 14 - Mon, Nov 17
DCA
Washington
DSM
Des Moines
$212 Roundtrip, found 6 hours ago
$212
Roundtrip
found 6 hours ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Fri, Nov 14 from Washington to Des Moines, returning Mon, Nov 17, priced at $212 found 6 hours ago
United
Wed, Nov 12 - Mon, Nov 17
DCA
Washington
DSM
Des Moines
$216 Roundtrip, found 3 hours ago
$216
Roundtrip
found 3 hours ago
Select United flight, departing Wed, Nov 12 from Washington to Des Moines, returning Mon, Nov 17, priced at $216 found 3 hours ago
Southwest Airlines
Wed, Nov 12 - Mon, Nov 17
DCA
Washington
DSM
Des Moines
$221 Roundtrip, found 3 hours ago
$221
Roundtrip
found 3 hours ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Wed, Nov 12 from Washington to Des Moines, returning Mon, Nov 17, priced at $221 found 3 hours ago
Frontier Airlines
Wed, Oct 29 - Sun, Nov 2
DCA
Washington
DSM
Des Moines
$237 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$237
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Wed, Oct 29 from Washington to Des Moines, returning Sun, Nov 2, priced at $237 found 2 days ago
American Airlines
Wed, Nov 12 - Mon, Nov 17
DCA
Washington
DSM
Des Moines
$241 Roundtrip, found 3 hours ago
$241
Roundtrip
found 3 hours ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Wed, Nov 12 from Washington to Des Moines, returning Mon, Nov 17, priced at $241 found 3 hours ago
Southwest Airlines
Thu, Nov 6 - Mon, Nov 10
DCA
Washington
DSM
Des Moines
$241 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$241
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Thu, Nov 6 from Washington to Des Moines, returning Mon, Nov 10, priced at $241 found 2 days ago
Frontier Airlines
Wed, Oct 22 - Thu, Oct 30
DCA
Washington
DSM
Des Moines
$242 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$242
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Wed, Oct 22 from Washington to Des Moines, returning Thu, Oct 30, priced at $242 found 2 days ago
Delta
Wed, Nov 12 - Mon, Nov 17
DCA
Washington
DSM
Des Moines
$289 Roundtrip, found 3 hours ago
$289
Roundtrip
found 3 hours ago
Select Delta flight, departing Wed, Nov 12 from Washington to Des Moines, returning Mon, Nov 17, priced at $289 found 3 hours ago

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

November is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $157 - $547 per traveler.

Alternative airports near Des Moines

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

Select flight to Des Moines Intl. DSM. Cheapest and Closest option available. Average driving time to city center is 10 minutes. Flights from $376
DSM
Des Moines Intl.
CheapestClosest
Average driving time to city center10 min
Flights from $376

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) cost?
Secure a cheap one-way flight from $59 or cheap return flight from $118 from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) with Expedia. Enter your travel dates and sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to see our cheapest flight deals on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
Traveling in November is a good way to save, as it's the cheapest month for flights between DCA and DSM. You'll typically find the lowest fares during the off-season.
Which airlines fly direct from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
When flying out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), you can hop on a nonstop flight to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) with American Airlines.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
Use the filters on Expedia to compare airlines and find the most affordable carrier that'll take you from DCA to DSM. Then, sort your results by "Price (lowest to highest)" to snag a good deal.
How many flights per day from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
With an average of 2 nonstop flights departing from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) daily, you'll be soaring through the skies in no time.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
More passengers fly between DCA and DSM at 10 AM than at any other time of day. Rather go when it's quieter? Consider flying outside peak hours and you could save on your ticket as well.
What day of the week has the most flights from DCA to DSM?
Friday has the most flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM). Consider traveling on this day and you'll have the best chance of finding a departure that fits your itinerary.
What is the earliest flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)'s earliest flight to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) is at approximately 10:09AM UTC-5. With a travel duration of 3h 2m, you'll arrive at around 12:11PM UTC-6.
How long does it take to fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
Flights from DCA to DSM have an average travel time of 2 hours and 55 minutes. The distance between the two is 900 mi.
What is the best time to fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
To land at Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) on time, opt for a flight that takes off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) before 3 PM. The likelihood of cancellations is 22% higher, on average, for departures after this hour.**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 Des Moines from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
If you're boarding a direct flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines, Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) is the only airport you can touch down at.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) last-minute?
Waiting until right before your break to book a flight from DCA to DSM often results in higher prices. While you may come across some last-minute discounts, they aren't always guaranteed. Be flexible with your travel plans for the best chance of snagging a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book a DCA to DSM flight and hotel package?
Compared with arranging hotels and flights separately, booking a DCA to DSM flight and hotel package with Expedia could lead to significant savings. Better still, having everything in one easy place takes the hassle out of travel planning. Just secure your flights and select from our wide range of hotels, then customize your trip with extras like tours and car rentals.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
In most cases, you're able to reschedule or cancel your DCA to DSM flight. However, there may be additional charges, especially if your booking was made over 24 hours ago. Check your itinerary for the airline's fees and policies on flight changes, or if you want further information, visit our Customer Service portal.

Travel information

Origin airport
Ronald Reagan Washington National
Destination airport
Des Moines Intl.
Airlines serving
American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$118
Distance
894 mi
Average flight time
1 hour 40 mins

Book with confidence

Washington to Des Moines Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Washington to Des Moines

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 Washington to Des Moines are during the month of November. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Washington to Des Moines with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

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

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Washington to Des Moines: 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 Washington to Des Moines

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 Washington to Des Moines 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 Washington to Des Moines 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 Washington to Des Moines 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.

 

Washington to Des Moines Flights

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*Available to One Key members.