$132 Cheap Flights from Detroit (DTW) to Des Moines (DSM)

View $132 flight on Wed, Oct 15, 2025Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

Cheap Flights from Detroit to Des Moines (DTW-DSM)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $132 for one-way flights and $168 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Frontier Airlines
Thu, Oct 2 - Wed, Oct 8
DTW
Detroit
DSM
Des Moines
$168 Roundtrip, found 2 hours ago
$168
Roundtrip
found 2 hours ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Thu, Oct 2 from Detroit to Des Moines, returning Wed, Oct 8, priced at $168 found 2 hours ago
Frontier Airlines
Thu, Sep 11 - Fri, Sep 12
DTW
Detroit
DSM
Des Moines
$195 Roundtrip, found 12 hours ago
$195
Roundtrip
found 12 hours ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Thu, Sep 11 from Detroit to Des Moines, returning Fri, Sep 12, priced at $195 found 12 hours ago
Frontier Airlines
Thu, Sep 25 - Mon, Sep 29
DTW
Detroit
DSM
Des Moines
$200 Roundtrip, found 5 hours ago
$200
Roundtrip
found 5 hours ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Thu, Sep 25 from Detroit to Des Moines, returning Mon, Sep 29, priced at $200 found 5 hours ago
Frontier Airlines
Fri, Oct 17 - Mon, Oct 20
DTW
Detroit
DSM
Des Moines
$218 Roundtrip, found 11 hours ago
$218
Roundtrip
found 11 hours ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Fri, Oct 17 from Detroit to Des Moines, returning Mon, Oct 20, priced at $218 found 11 hours ago
Frontier Airlines
Mon, Oct 6 - Wed, Oct 15
DTW
Detroit
DSM
Des Moines
$218 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$218
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Mon, Oct 6 from Detroit to Des Moines, returning Wed, Oct 15, priced at $218 found 6 days ago
Frontier Airlines
Fri, Oct 10 - Mon, Oct 13
DTW
Detroit
DSM
Des Moines
$228 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$228
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Fri, Oct 10 from Detroit to Des Moines, returning Mon, Oct 13, priced at $228 found 6 days ago
American Airlines
Thu, Oct 2 - Wed, Oct 8
DTW
Detroit
DSM
Des Moines
$275 Roundtrip, found 2 hours ago
$275
Roundtrip
found 2 hours ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Thu, Oct 2 from Detroit to Des Moines, returning Wed, Oct 8, priced at $275 found 2 hours ago
Southwest Airlines
Thu, Oct 2 - Wed, Oct 8
DTW
Detroit
DSM
Des Moines
$284 Roundtrip, found 2 hours ago
$284
Roundtrip
found 2 hours ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Thu, Oct 2 from Detroit to Des Moines, returning Wed, Oct 8, priced at $284 found 2 hours ago
United
Sat, Oct 18 - Fri, Oct 24
DTW
Detroit
DSM
Des Moines
$395 Roundtrip, found 4 hours ago
$395
Roundtrip
found 4 hours ago
Select United flight, departing Sat, Oct 18 from Detroit to Des Moines, returning Fri, Oct 24, priced at $395 found 4 hours ago
Delta
Sat, Oct 25 - Sun, Oct 26
DTW
Detroit
DSM
Des Moines
$399 Roundtrip, just found
$399
Roundtrip
just found
Select Delta flight, departing Sat, Oct 25 from Detroit to Des Moines, returning Sun, Oct 26, priced at $399 just found

Find the cheapest month to fly from Detroit (DTW) to Des Moines (DSM)

March is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $164 - $700 per traveler.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

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 $316
DSM
Des Moines Intl.
CheapestClosest
Average driving time to city center10 min
Flights from $316
0
Flights from Detroit (DTW) to Des Moines (DSM)
Origin airport
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
Destination airport
Des Moines Intl.
Airlines serving
American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$167
Distance
531 mi

Detroit to Des Moines Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Detroit 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 Detroit to Des Moines are during the month of October. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Detroit to Des Moines with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

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

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Detroit 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 Detroit 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 Detroit to Des Moines in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $132 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 Detroit 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 Detroit 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.

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) cost?
Secure a cheap one-way flight from $132 or cheap return flight from $168 from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) 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 Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
Planning your getaway for October may help you find better deals, as it's the cheapest month for flights between DTW and DSM. You'll typically find the lowest fares during off-peak months.
Which airlines fly direct from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
Board a direct flight with Delta Air Lines and journey straight from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM).
What is the cheapest airline that flies from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
Use the filters on Expedia to compare different airlines and find the most affordable carrier that'll take you from DTW to DSM. Then, sort your results by "Price (lowest to highest)" to snag a good deal.
How many flights per day from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
When taking off from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), you'll have a choice from an average of 2 daily direct flights to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM).
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
Flights between DTW and DSM are busiest at 8 AM. If you'd like a more relaxed experience and potentially cheaper fares, choose a departure outside the usual busy windows.
What day of the week has the most flights from DTW to DSM?
Fly on a Wednesday if you're searching for the biggest selection of flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM).
What is the earliest flight from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
Catch the earliest flight at around 8:40AM UTC-5, departing from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). You'll be flying for around 2h 9m, coming in to land at Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) at approximately 9:49AM UTC-6.
How long does it take to fly from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
The average flight time from DTW to DSM is 2 hours and 5 minutes, covering a total distance of 530 mi.
What airline has the least delays from DTW to DSM?
With 83% of flights usually landing on schedule, Delta Air Lines has the best on-time performance for direct flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM). To monitor your flight status and get notifications about any changes, use the Expedia App.
What is the best time to fly from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
Book a flight from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) that leaves before 3 PM to reduce the risk of cancellations and delays. Departures after this time have a 22% higher chance of being canceled, on average.**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 Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)?
Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) is the only airport in Des Moines with direct flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). Consider the options and find cheap fares on Expedia.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) last-minute?
Last-minute bookings from DTW to DSM are usually more expensive. To lock in the lowest prices, start looking for flights as soon as possible. That said, if you can play around with your travel dates, it's possible to score a cheap fare just before your departure.
Is it cheaper to book a DTW to DSM flight and hotel package?
Booking a DTW to DSM flight and hotel package is generally cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the convenience of organizing your trip in one place. Choose from our extensive range of accommodations and then add activities, car rentals and flights to your booking. Bundle everything together, and you could save hundreds of dollars.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
In most instances, you can reschedule or cancel your DTW to DSM flight. However, additional charges may apply, especially if you booked over 24 hours ago. Double-check your itinerary for the airline's guidelines and fees on flight changes, or if you'd like further information, head to our Customer Service portal.

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*Available to One Key members.