$91 Cheap Flights from San Diego (SAN) to Detroit (DTW)

Popular airlines from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)

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Cheap Flights from San Diego to Detroit (SAN-DTW)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $91 for one-way flights and $165 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Frontier Airlines
American Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines
JetBlue Airways

Find the cheapest month to fly from San Diego (SAN) to Detroit (DTW)

November is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $101 - $518 per traveler.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

Alternative airports near Detroit

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

Flights from San Diego (SAN) to Detroit (DTW)
Origin airport
San Diego Intl.
Destination airport
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
Airlines serving
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$143
Distance
1953 mi
Average flight time
7 hours 50 mins

San Diego to Detroit Flights

The cheapest times to fly from San Diego to Detroit

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 San Diego to Detroit are during the month of August. You can find some of the cheapest flights from San Diego to Detroit with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from San Diego to Detroit

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from San Diego to Detroit: 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 San Diego to Detroit

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 San Diego to Detroit in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $91 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 San Diego to Detroit 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 San Diego to Detroit 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 San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) cost?
Cheap return fares from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) start from $180. This information is based on the cheapest price found on Expedia for this return journey departing within the next three months. This airfare is for a Spirit Airlines flight leaving SAN on August 15 2025 and touching down at DTW. The price was last updated on July 23 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from SAN to DTW?
The cheapest flights from SAN to DTW are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
Which airlines fly direct from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)?
When heading out of San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN), you can board a direct flight to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) with Delta Air Lines.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from SAN to DTW?
Currently, the cheapest carrier operating one-way flights from SAN to DTW is Spirit Airlines. You can take off on this route from $90. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from SAN on October 17 2025. Prices were last updated on July 23 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)?
When taking off from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN), you can choose from an average of 2 daily nonstop flights to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW).
What are the most popular departure times for flights from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)?
Flights between SAN and DTW are their busiest at 7 AM. If you're after a more relaxed trip and potentially cheaper fares, choose a departure that's outside typical rush times.
What day of the week has the most flights from SAN to DTW?
Sunday has the most flights from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). Consider leaving on this day and you'll have a greater chance of finding a departure that fits your plans.
What is the earliest flight from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)?
Catch the earliest flight at around 7:25AM UTC-8, departing from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN). You'll be in the air for around 4h 20m, landing at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) at approximately 2:45PM UTC-5.
How long does it take to fly from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)?
The average flight time from SAN to DTW is 4 hours and 21 minutes, covering a total distance of 1,950 mi.
What airline has the least delays from SAN to DTW?
Delta Air Lines has the strongest track record for on-time direct flights from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), with an on-time score of 88%. Use the Expedia App to check your flight status before you go and get notified of any trip changes.
What is the best time to fly from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)?
To avoid potential delays on the San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) route, aim to fly before 3 PM. Later flights have a 22% higher chance of cancellation.**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 Detroit from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
Explore your flight options from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). This is the only airport in Detroit you can arrive at if you're taking a direct flight.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) last-minute?
Booking your flight from SAN to DTW right before your getaway is generally more expensive. However, if there's some wiggle room with your itinerary, you could grab a cheap last-minute fare.
Is it cheaper to book a SAN to DTW flight and hotel package?
Securing a SAN to DTW flight and hotel package tends to be cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the ease of organizing your travels in one place. Select from our extensive range of hotels 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 San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)?
In most instances, you can reschedule or cancel your SAN to DTW flight. However, there may be additional fees, especially if your booking was made more than 24 hours ago. Double-check your itinerary for the airline's fees and rules on flight changes, or if you'd like further information, head to our Customer Service portal.

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