$124 Cheap Flights from Sacramento (SMF) to Des Moines (DSM)

Popular airlines from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

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Cheap Flights from Sacramento to Des Moines (SMF-DSM)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $124 for one-way flights and $238 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
United
Southwest Airlines
Delta
American Airlines

Find the cheapest month to fly from Sacramento (SMF) to Des Moines (DSM)

August is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $211 - $936 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.

Flights from Sacramento (SMF) to Des Moines (DSM)
Origin airport
Sacramento Intl.
Destination airport
Des Moines Intl.
Airlines serving
American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$238
Distance
1482 mi
Average flight time
7 hours 25 mins

Sacramento to Des Moines Flights

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

 

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

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento to Des Moines in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $124 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) cost?
Discover the latest flight deals from SMF to DSM by entering your preferred travel dates and searching on Expedia. Easily compare prices by departure date if you have flexibility with your schedule and use handy filters to explore prices for your preferred journey. As a member of One Key™, our free loyalty program, you can use Price Tracking to watch fares and receive notifications if prices go up or down.
What is the cheapest month to fly from SMF to DSM?
The cheapest flights from SMF to DSM are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from SMF to DSM?
Use the filter tool on Expedia to compare airlines and find the cheapest carrier that'll take you from SMF to DSM. Sort your results by "Price (lowest to highest)" to snap up a great deal.
How many flights per day from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
Direct flights from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) aren't available daily, so you'll need to take a flight with a layover. Explore your options with Expedia's filter tool. Enter your travel dates and choose either "1 Stop" or "2+ Stops."
What day of the week has the most flights from SMF to DSM?
You'll usually find Tuesday the quietest day for flights, while Fridays are often the busiest.* However this can change from season to season and during peak travel times or public holidays.*Busiest/quietest day to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to December 2024.
What is the best time to fly from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
Opt for a flight from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) that leaves before 3 PM to reduce the likelihood 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.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) last-minute?
Last-minute bookings from SMF to DSM are usually more expensive. To secure the best rates, start searching for flights ahead of time. That being said, if your travel plans are flexible, you may score a cheap ticket just before your departure.
Is it cheaper to book a SMF to DSM flight and hotel package?
Booking a SMF to DSM flight and hotel package is typically cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the ease of organizing your travels in one place. Choose from our wide range of accommodations and then add flights, car rentals and activities to your booking. Bundle everything together, and you could save hundreds of dollars.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
If you reserved your SMF to DSM flight in the last 24 hours, you may be able to cancel or modify it without any fees. Depending on the airline and the type of fare you purchased, additional charges may apply for changes beyond this timeframe. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, go to our Customer Service portal for further details.

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*Available to One Key members.