DSM - WAS

$119 Find Cheap Flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$258
Typical prices: $387-$516
Frontier
Tue 11/6Thu 11/8
DSM - DCA • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$397
Typical prices: $401-$526
American Airlines
Sun 10/14Sat 10/20
DSM - DCA • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
Every day
You can fly direct with American Airlines. Average duration is 2h 35m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Top routes
DSM - IAD
Cheapest • 1% average savings
DSM - DCA
Most popular
Insights
Insights
When to book
23 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 23 weeks in advance save around 45% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
December
Cheapest • 11% price drop
June
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Minneapolis St Paul (MSP)
Cheapest • Avg $184 (round-trip)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW)
Shortest trip • 4h 40m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to Washington, D.C.!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. (DSM-WAS)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.

Fri, Nov 6 - Sun, Nov 8
Frontier Logo
8:30 pm - 9:50 pmDSM  Des Moines-DCA Washington, D.C. Reagan-National
24h 20m1 stop Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
6:00 pm - 7:35 pmDCA  Washington, D.C. Reagan-National-DSM Des Moines
26h 35m1 stop Denver Intl
$258Frontier
Thu, Sep 24 - Mon, Sep 28
Frontier Logo
11:29 am - 12:11 pmDSM  Des Moines-DCA Washington, D.C. Reagan-National
23h 42m1 stop Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
7:00 am - 7:33 pmDCA  Washington, D.C. Reagan-National-DSM Des Moines
13h 33m1 stop Denver Intl
$261Frontier
Sat, Oct 31 - Wed, Nov 4
Delta Logo
5:39 am - 1:06 pmDSM  Des Moines-BWI Baltimore/Washington
6h 27m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
Delta Logo
6:00 am - 10:42 amBWI  Baltimore/Washington-DSM Des Moines
5h 42m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$325Delta
Sat, Oct 24 - Tue, Nov 3
Delta Logo
4:01 pm - 11:23 pmDSM  Des Moines-BWI Baltimore/Washington
6h 22m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul
Delta Logo
7:30 am - 2:25 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-DSM Des Moines
7h 55m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul
$325Delta
Sat, Oct 24 - Sat, Oct 31
Southwest Logo
5:50 am - 4:00 pmDSM  Des Moines-BWI Baltimore/Washington
9h 10m2 stops Chicago Midway Nashville Intl
Southwest Logo
10:20 am - 5:45 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-DSM Des Moines
8h 25m2 stops Lambert-St Louis Chicago Midway
$335Southwest
Sat, Oct 17 - Tue, Oct 20
Southwest Logo
1:20 pm - 9:10 pmDSM  Des Moines-DCA Washington, D.C. Reagan-National
6h 50m1 stop Chicago Midway
Southwest Logo
7:30 am - 11:30 amDCA  Washington, D.C. Reagan-National-DSM Des Moines
5h 00m1 stop Chicago Midway
$357Southwest
Sat, Oct 24 - Tue, Nov 3
American Airlines Logo
9:26 am - 5:58 pmDSM  Des Moines-BWI Baltimore/Washington
7h 32m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
American Airlines Logo
7:18 am - 1:28 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-DSM Des Moines
7h 10m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$391American Airlines
Tue, Nov 10 - Mon, Nov 16
American Airlines Logo
9:25 am - 5:45 pmDSM  Des Moines-BWI Baltimore/Washington
7h 20m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
American Airlines Logo
6:27 pm - 12:26 amBWI  Baltimore/Washington-DSM Des Moines
6h 59m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$393American Airlines
Thu, Oct 29 - Mon, Nov 2
United Airlines Logo
8:00 am - 2:06 pmDSM  Des Moines-BWI Baltimore/Washington
5h 06m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
United Airlines Logo
12:34 pm - 7:16 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-DSM Des Moines
7h 42m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$395United Airlines
Tue, Nov 24 - Fri, Nov 27
United Airlines Logo
11:22 am - 7:09 pmDSM  Des Moines-BWI Baltimore/Washington
6h 47m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
United Airlines Logo
5:31 pm - 9:55 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-DSM Des Moines
5h 24m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$403United Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Des Moines to Washington, D.C. flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. with more confidence.

How much is a round-trip flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

Round-trip flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. start at $258. Prices are below average for this route right now, with typical round-trip fares ranging from $387 to $516. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $258 on Frontier.

What is the cheapest Des Moines to Washington, D.C. flight route?

There's little price difference between Des Moines to Washington, D.C. routes. They average around $439 round-trip, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Des Moines to Washington, D.C., it is 10% cheaper than the average day. Monday is the most expensive day with flight prices 30% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

  • December is the cheapest month to fly from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. at $390 round-trip.
  • July ($479) and June ($471) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 22% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. the cheapest?

Flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. are cheapest 23 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 45% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Find deals

Key details for Des Moines to Washington, D.C. flights

Low season

January

Cheapest flight

$119
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 5% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 7% increase in price.
Flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport

When to book flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your Des Moines to Washington, D.C. flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking questions.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Des Moines to Washington, D.C. flights?

    Among airlines operating Des Moines to Washington, D.C. flights:

    • American Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • What airlines are available from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

    Only American Airlines operates flights between Des Moines and Washington, D.C..

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

    Flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. usually depart from Des Moines (DSM) and may arrive at several airports in Washington, D.C. area, including Washington, D.C. Reagan-National (DCA) and Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl (IAD).

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Des Moines to Washington, D.C. flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • American Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route and airline, so travelers should check the fare details before booking.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

    Two cabin classes are available on flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.:

    • Economy Class
    • First Class

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $184 round-trip via Minneapolis St Paul (MSP), compared to $445 for nonstop.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $50–$100 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. pass through?

    One-stop flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. most commonly connect through:

    • Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) - 27% of one-stop connections
    • Chicago Midway (MDW) - 22% of one-stop connections
    • Denver Intl (DEN) - 19% of one-stop connections
    • Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) - 17% of one-stop connections

    Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 31% on the Des Moines to Washington, D.C. route. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $401 round-trip on average, while Monday is the most expensive at $574, a difference of $173. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • How are flight departures from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Des Moines to Washington, D.C. flights, with 50% of flights leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 50%, evening flights for 0%, and night flights for 0%.

  • What popular places can I visit in Washington, D.C.?

    Some of the most popular sights in Washington, D.C. are Walter E. Washington Convention Center, National Mall and Capital One Arena. These are among the most viewed places in Washington, D.C. on KAYAK.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.:

    • Earliest: departs at 5:46 am and lands at 8:21 am
    • Latest: departs at 3:01 pm and lands at 5:36 pm.

    The flight takes about 2h 35m.

  • How expensive are last-minute Des Moines to Washington, D.C. flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 23% above the route average of $441. Book 23 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

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

    A nonstop flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. takes 2h 35m, covering 894 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

    No, a passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need a real ID-compliant driver's license, a state ID, or another TSA-accepted form of identification.

  • Have flight prices from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, round-trip prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $258 to $1,495. That means the highest observed fare was about 6x higher than the lowest one.

  • How are flight prices from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. looking right now?

    One-way fares from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $195, which is 27% below the typical average for this route.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

    Flying via Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 4h 40m, compared with 4h 41m via Lambert-St Louis (STL) and 4h 53m via Charlotte Douglas (CLT).

  • What is the time difference between Des Moines and Washington, D.C.?

    Washington, D.C. is 1 hour ahead of Des Moines (Eastern Time vs Central Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What car rental options are available in Washington, D.C.?

    Since Washington, D.C. is served by multiple airports, car rental options and rates can vary depending on which one you fly into.
    Near Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport (DCA) — daily rates from around $23:

    · Sixt
    · Dollar
    · Thrifty
    · Alamo
    · Budget

    Near Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport (IAD) — daily rates from around $24:

    · Dollar
    · Budget
    · Hertz
    · Sixt
    · Thrifty

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Des Moines to Washington, D.C. flight?

    Round-trip flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. range from $387 to $516, with an average of $441 over the past 12 months. Anything below $387 counts as a good deal.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi on Des Moines to Washington, D.C. flights?

    American Airlines is the only airline on the Des Moines to Washington, D.C. route offering in-flight Wi-Fi. Pricing depends on fare class.

Your guide to booking Des Moines to Washington, D.C. flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates can be flexible, aim for a Wednesday departure instead of Monday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $401 - about $173 less than Monday (30% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 23 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 45% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Des Moines to Washington, D.C. trip for December. Fares historically average $390 round-trip in that month - typically $89 less than the most expensive month, which is July (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Minneapolis St Paul Airport (MSP) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $184 round-trip on this route - about $260 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport.
    - Hyatt House Washington DC The Wharf
    - Intercontinental Hotels Washington D.C. - The Wharf By IHG
    - Canopy by Hilton Washington D.C - The Wharf

Prefer to fly direct from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Des Moines Airport to Washington, D.C., which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Des Moines to Washington, D.C.

Monday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Tuesday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Wednesday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Thursday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Friday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Saturday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Sunday

American Airlines

American Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Washington, D.C. to Des Moines

Monday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Tuesday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Wednesday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Thursday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Friday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Saturday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Sunday

American Airlines

American Airlines

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.

Complete your trip to Washington, D.C. with a hotel stay or car rental

Car rentals in Washington, D.C.
Hotels in Washington, D.C.
Vacations in Washington, D.C.