Cheap flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.

Des Moines
DSM
Washington
WAS

Flight deals from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.

Below you can see the best deals on flights Des Moines — Washington, D.C. for upcoming dates. Direct and connecting flights from various airlines — compare prices and choose the right ticket.

The lowest price for the next 2 months is on 25 August, from $118.

Top 10 cheap flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.

About the Des Moines — Washington, D.C. flight

Looking for cheap flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.? Compare fares from different airlines, check the flight schedule and travel time — and book your Des Moines — Washington, D.C. ticket online at the best price.

The route has direct flights — around 27 flights per week, flights are operated by American Airlines, a nonstop flight takes about 2 h 29 min, the distance between the cities is around 1,439 km.

Planning your trip? You may find our Washington, D.C. travel guide, how to get from the airport into town and Washington, D.C. weather forecast useful. To catch a low fare, use the low-price calendar and the monthly price chart on this page.

Facts about this route

from $118Min. price
AugustCheapest
AprilPeak season
YesDirect flights
1,439 kmDistance
2 h 29 minTravel time
1Airlines
27 / wkFlights

Flight schedule from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.

The table shows direct flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. on the selected date. The flight takes approximately 2 h 29 min. Regular flights are operated by American Airlines. Departures from Des Moines International Airport airports, arrivals at Washington Dulles International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Ronald Reagan National Airport.

For each flight, the following details are shown: departure time (local), arrival city and airport, flight number and airline, terminal or gate, and status. Click on a flight to open its details and go to ticket search. To view flights on a different day, change the date above the table.

Today
Any time
Last update: 25 Aug 2026

Flight ticket prices by day: Des Moines — Washington, D.C.

Below is a calendar of the lowest flight ticket prices for Des Moines — Washington, D.C. by day. Pick a convenient date and instantly see the fare. The cheapest flights on this route start from $118 in August, and the most expensive are around $341 in April. If your travel dates are flexible, the calendar will help you find the best price for your preferred period. To view round-trip fares, switch to the "Round trip" tab above the calendar, select your departure date — and the right-hand calendar will highlight the lowest prices for return flights on each day.

 
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--

Prices by month

Average one-way fares from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. by month. Tickets are usually cheapest in February (around $216) and priciest in December (about $336) — use the table and chart below to pick the best time to fly.

MonthAverage priceLevelMonthAverage priceLevelMonthAverage priceLevel
Jan$222lowMay$264mediumSep$306high
Feb$216lowJun$324highOct$270medium
Mar$240mediumJul$312highNov$228low
Apr$234lowAug$288mediumDec$336high

Some values are estimated based on seasonality.

When to fly

Weather in Washington, D.C.: it is warmest in July (up to 32 °C on average) and coolest in January (around 7 °C). The driest month is October.

Tickets are usually cheapest in August and most expensive in April. Compare prices and weather by month in the charts below to pick the best time to fly.

Temperature · Washington, D.C.

Dry and wet days · Washington, D.C.

Wind speed and direction · Washington, D.C.

We'll let you know if you need a visa

Enter your destination or
Your nationality
Destination

How to get the best deal on a Des Moines — Washington, D.C. ticket

  • Book ahead: fares for Des Moines — Washington, D.C. are usually lower 3–8 weeks before departure than at the last minute.
  • Play with your dates — Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday departures are often cheaper than Friday and Sunday.
  • The cheapest month to fly to Washington, D.C. is usually August — plan your trip around it if your dates are flexible.
  • Compare direct and connecting flights: nonstop is faster, while a connection is sometimes noticeably cheaper.
  • Watch the low-price calendar and the monthly price trend on this page — they make it easier to catch a good date.
  • Travelling light? Pick a cabin-baggage-only fare — tickets without checked luggage are noticeably cheaper.
  • Get to the airport in good time — about 2–3 hours before an international departure and roughly an hour before a domestic one.

Airlines

Flights on the Des Moines — Washington, D.C. route are operated by 1 airline; American Airlines runs the most flights (around 100% of all flights). Compare carriers, flight shares and schedules below.

  • American AirlinesAA
    9x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 965211M pax/year
    • Direct flight DSM → DCA9x/week
      Duration
      2h 30m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    100.0%Open →

Cities and airports on the Des Moines — Washington, D.C. route

Flights Des Moines — Washington, D.C. depart from Des Moines International Airport and arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Ronald Reagan National Airport. Below are pages for the cities, countries, and airports on the route: airlines, schedules, and travel guides.

Departure

Des Moines

DSM
United States
About the cityHow to get thereWeatherAll about the country United States
Arrival

Washington, D.C.

WAS
United States
About the cityHow to get thereWeatherAll about the country United States
Departure airports
Arrival airports

Interesting articles about Washington, D.C.

The World’s Largest CitiesInteresting

The World’s Largest Cities

If you prefer non-stop action to quiet solitude somewhere by the sea or in the mountains—this article is for you. We’ve already told you about the oldest cities in the world, and now it’s time to delv…

Graffiti: Where to go for street artInteresting

Graffiti: Where to go for street art

Long gone are the days when graffiti was considered solely vandalism. Today, street art is a powerful and vibrant direction of contemporary art, transforming gray city walls into open-air galleries. A…

Free Public Transport AbroadUseful information

Free Public Transport Abroad

How to get around abroad is always a tricky question. Some simply buy a day pass and spare no expense, while others prefer to walk to avoid spending extra money on “it’s only a ten-minute walk!”. But…

Interesting

Top Cosmodrome Tours

USA Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center The Kennedy Space Center is one of the world’s main spaceports. A rocket park and a museum complex with space attractions are open to visitors, however, mos…

Did you know that some airports have beds?Interesting

Did you know that some airports have beds?

Did you know that some airports have beds? They are intended for passengers whose flights were canceled due to bad weather or other force majeure circumstances. These unfortunate travelers are offered…

The Oldest Cities in the WorldInteresting

The Oldest Cities in the World

Relaxing among skyscrapers in a brand new hotel in Dubai is cool, of course, but what about a trip to places that are more than five thousand years old? We tell you about cities that have existed for…

Frequently asked questions about the Des Moines — Washington, D.C. flight

How long is the flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

A nonstop Des Moines — Washington, D.C. flight takes about 2 h 29 min — the distance between the cities is around 1,439 km.

How far is it from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

The distance from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. is about 1,439 km, which a nonstop flight covers in around 2 h 29 min.

Are there direct flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

Yes, there are nonstop flights Des Moines — Washington, D.C. — around 27 flights per week.

Which airlines fly from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

Airlines operating Des Moines — Washington, D.C. include American Airlines. See the full list with schedules in the "Airlines" section on this page.

Which airports do Des Moines — Washington, D.C. flights use?

Flights from Des Moines depart from Des Moines International Airport, and arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Ronald Reagan National Airport. If a city has more than one airport, check which one your ticket uses before you travel.

How much is a ticket from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

The price of a Des Moines — Washington, D.C. ticket depends on your travel date, season and demand: it is usually cheapest to fly in August, and most expensive in April. Tickets typically cost between $118 and $341. Check the current lowest fare and low-price calendar on this page.

When is the best time to book flights Des Moines — Washington, D.C.?

Flights Des Moines — Washington, D.C. are usually cheaper when booked in advance — a few weeks before departure and away from peak dates; the most budget-friendly month to fly is August. Compare prices by month in the price trend chart on this page.

How can I find the cheapest flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

To catch a low fare Des Moines — Washington, D.C., book a few weeks in advance, keep your dates flexible, and compare airlines and connecting options. The low-price calendar and monthly price chart on this page show the cheapest days and months at a glance: the most budget-friendly month to fly is usually August.

How early should I arrive at the airport?

For international flights, plan to be at the airport about 2–3 hours before departure, and around an hour before a domestic flight. Allow extra time during busy travel seasons and at large hubs, where check-in and security lines can be longer.

Where else you can fly from Des Moines

See all
ChicagoDenverDetroitMinneapolisAtlantaPhiladelphiaDallasNew York CityPhoenixCharlotteHoustonLos AngelesOrlandoMiamiKalamazooTampa

Where else you can fly from Washington, D.C.

See all
New York CityChicagoAtlantaBostonOrlandoTorontoCharlotteHoustonDetroitSeattleMinneapolisDallasMiamiFort LauderdaleMontrealDenverRaleighLos AngelesNashvilleSan FranciscoPittsburghTampaIndianapolisBuffaloCincinnatiProvidencePhiladelphiaLondonRochesterOttawaKnoxvilleColumbusClevelandAlbanySouth PortlandNorth CharlestonSan SalvadorSan DiegoBurlingtonSavannah

We use cookies and services to collect user information. This is essential for the functioning of the site and for marketing purposes. You can find out more in .