$56 Find Cheap Flights from Detroit to California

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Detroit to California departing on 1/10. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Detroit to California.
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Detroit to California.
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Detroit to California

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours
Los Angeles
Los Angeles1 stop$220
San Francisco
San Francisco2 stops$291
San Diego
San Diego1 stop$199
San Jose
San Jose2 stops$195
Palm Springs
Palm Springs1 stop$183
Fresno
Fresno1 stop$235
San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo2 stops$334
Bakersfield
Bakersfield1 stop$278
Arcata
Arcata1 stop$401
Redding
Redding1 stop$204
Reno
Reno1 stop$198
Sacramento
Sacramento1 stop$156
Los Angeles
Los Angeles1 stop$220
San Francisco
San Francisco2 stops$291
San Diego
San Diego1 stop$199
San Jose
San Jose2 stops$195
Palm Springs
Palm Springs1 stop$183
Fresno
Fresno1 stop$235
San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo2 stops$334
Bakersfield
Bakersfield1 stop$278
Arcata
Arcata1 stop$401
Redding
Redding1 stop$204
Reno
Reno1 stop$198
Sacramento
Sacramento1 stop$156

Book Cheap Detroit to California Plane Tickets

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Detroit to California that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Detroit to California

Wed, Jan 7 - Sat, Jan 10
Spirit Airlines Logo
8:34 am - 12:28 pm
DTW
-
BUR
6h 54m1 stop
Spirit Airlines Logo
11:24 am - 4:30 am
BUR
-
DTW
14h 06m1 stop
$126Spirit Airlines
Sat, Jan 17 - Mon, Jan 26
Frontier Logo
5:40 pm - 2:19 pm
DTW
-
SNA
23h 39m1 stop
Frontier Logo
3:06 pm - 8:44 pm
SNA
-
DTW
26h 38m1 stop
$127Frontier
Fri, Jan 9 - Mon, Jan 12
Frontier Logo
4:43 pm - 2:33 pm
DTW
-
SNA
24h 50m1 stop
Frontier Logo
10:30 am - 12:04 am
SNA
-
DTW
10h 34m1 stop
$131Frontier
Tue, Jan 6 - Fri, Jan 9
Multiple Airlines Logo
9:02 am - 2:38 pm
DTW
-
LAS
8h 36m1 stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:05 pm - 9:58 pm
LAS
-
DTW
23h 53m1 stop
$142Multiple Airlines
Sat, Jan 10 - Wed, Jan 14
Multiple Airlines Logo
5:07 pm - 2:11 pm
DTW
-
SNA
24h 04m1 stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:45 am - 9:56 pm
SNA
-
DTW
12h 11m2 stops
$145Multiple Airlines
Tue, Jan 27 - Tue, Feb 10
American Airlines Logo
5:35 pm - 10:34 pm
DTW
-
PSP
7h 59m1 stop
American Airlines Logo
6:39 am - 4:13 pm
PSP
-
DTW
6h 34m1 stop
$183American Airlines
Tue, Jan 27 - Tue, Feb 10
American Airlines Logo
7:00 am - 4:08 pm
DTW
-
PSP
12h 08m2 stops
American Airlines Logo
7:00 am - 4:32 pm
PSP
-
DTW
6h 32m1 stop
$188American Airlines
Wed, Jan 7 - Wed, Jan 21
Southwest Logo
9:20 am - 2:15 pm
DTW
-
SJC
7h 55m1 stop
Southwest Logo
12:10 pm - 9:25 pm
SJC
-
DTW
6h 15m1 stop
$211Southwest
Wed, Jan 7 - Wed, Jan 21
Southwest Logo
9:20 am - 3:55 pm
DTW
-
SJC
9h 35m1 stop
Southwest Logo
9:55 am - 9:25 pm
SJC
-
DTW
8h 30m2 stops
$216Southwest
Fri, Jan 9 - Tue, Jan 13
United Airlines Logo
9:00 am - 1:29 pm
DTW
-
SFO
7h 29m1 stop
United Airlines Logo
1:40 pm - 9:14 pm
SFO
-
DTW
4h 34mnonstop
$299United Airlines
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Detroit to California flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Detroit to California to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What is the cheapest Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to California flight route?

Data is based on round-trip flight searches on KAYAK over the past month.

The cheapest ticket to California from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport found in the last 72 hours was to Los Angeles, at $211 round-trip. The most popular route is from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Los Angeles (LAX), and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $211.

Can I save money by flying with a layover from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to California?

The average round-trip price for all non-stop flights, flights with one layover, and flights with two layovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.

No, with an average price for the route of $378, prices are generally cheapest when you fly direct.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to California?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to California, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to California is January, when tickets cost $239 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are November and December, when the average cost of round-trip tickets is $362 and $355 respectively.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Detroit to California?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to California clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

Your flight ticket price will generally be cheaper if you fly to California on a Friday and more expensive on a Sunday. On your return trip to Detroit, you should consider flying back on a Wednesday, and avoid Sundays for better deals.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to California?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to California, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below average price on the flight from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to California, you should book around 2 weeks before departure, which saves you about 20% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 6 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonSeptember
Cheapest flight$56
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 11% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 10% increase in price.
Flight from Detroit to San Diego

Flights from Detroit to California: the best tips from KAYAK users

Insights shared by verified travelers who flew the route from Detroit to California 
AngeliqueFlew with Spirit Airlines
DTW
-
LAX
Nov 2025
Know there is a shuttle to exit or get baggage
FelipeFlew with Delta
DTW
-
SAN
Jun 2024
Make sure you know where you are going it’s a big airport… if you fly delta you can ride the tram inside to get to your gate if it is far away.

FAQs - booking California flights

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Detroit to California?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Detroit to California.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Detroit to California?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight from Detroit to California is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Detroit to California?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly from Detroit to California with an airline and back with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Detroit to California?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying from Detroit to California up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

  • What is the cheapest time of day to fly to California?

    The cheapest time of day to fly to California is generally in the afternoon, when round-trip flights cost $265 on average. Morning departures are around 18% cheaper than evening flights, on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to California is generally in the evening, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $467.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to California

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found tickets from Detroit to the following destinations at these prices or less: Las Vegas $138 one-way - $240 round-trip

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from Detroit to California

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Detroit to California. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Detroit to California? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8.0
SouthwestOverall score based on 4254 reviews
7.5Entertainment
8.0Comfort
7.0Food
8.6Crew
8.1Boarding
Airline reviews

San Diego airport is brand new, spacious, airy and very smooth checkin at SW baggage drop.

10.0 ExcellentGordon, Nov 2025
SAN - OAK
Read more Southwest reviews

San Diego airport is brand new, spacious, airy and very smooth checkin at SW baggage drop.

Ever since Southwest starting charging for bags, passengers don't want to pay to check their bags, so the gate agents have to beg people to check their roller bags now because there's "not enough space". This was a terrible business move by Southwest.

Delays delays delays. Late taking off, late landing, wait for a gate, etc.

Connecting flight is on time and boarding was a breeze!

Southwest's seats are the least comfortable I have ever sat in.

Very smooth checking in our luggage with a super pleasant SW agent. I enjoyed a fun entertaining movie.

First time traveling on Southwest since bag fees were implemented. Usual good service. Just more expensive now.

It was a perfect flight in all aspects! Both legs!

Boarding process, crew were good. But the seats were so uncomfortable that was all I could focus on. I literally had to sit forward so that all 3 of us could fit in row. I will try to avoid Southwest in the future for any flights over 60 minutes.

Great flight, 47 passengers on a 180 seat plane. Stewardess was pleasant and cheerful.

Left on time, a bit delayed due to headwinds most of the trip.

Staff were friendly and happy. Delta could make sure passengers that don't have the app know of changes. Without Kayak I would not have known about the change of gate or the delay. Kayak was faster to notify me.

They changed planes and the new plane couldn’t carry enough fuel to fly across the country so we had to stop in Kansas City to refuel. Flight was delayed .

Flight was too crowded and seats are too small, especially since passengrs are getting larger. Having a middle seat is ALWAYS tough! Woman on my left was large & kept creeping in to my space. Flight personnel were great! Have more savory rather than sweet snacks please.

The crew took good care of us. The flight from ATL to SFO is a longer one, and there were multiple beverage offerings. I like the 757's that Delta uses. Good airplane that is comfortable. I do wish Delta would separate Priority boarding from the better seats. I would gladly take a smaller seat in an open row than be jammed into Comfort just to get priority boarding, just to make sure I don't have to check a bag.

Gate agent rushed to fill hot jetway with crowd so it took over 12 minutes to go from gate to plane. Just like a discount airline Pooly prepared cabin and third time that claim of rough air prevented any cabin service. Friends on a Southwest flight at similar time had service.

The airport was reasonably clean. The boarding process reasonably efficient. The cabin crew was efficient, polite but not that friendly. The food quality was unremarkable and the choices were awful . There was either a so so chicken dish or a “ vegetarian “ option which was really cheap carbohydrates drowned in cheese. Signing onto i flight wifi was not straightforward. Overall it was a very average experience

I was uncomfortably cold on the plane. Other than that it was uneventful and therefore as enjoyable as a plane ride can be.

Delayed and took off even later than the scheduled delay time

Food was surprisingly good but the WiFi was not great

United needs to step up their game. Delayed flight leaving Seattle, San Francisco. Older aircraft, not very comfortable.

Plane boarded early a quickly, was mostly full. We left close to on time. And landed early.

7 hours delayed due to operational issues on United’s end. Basically laziness.

Flight was timely, relatively comfortable, with decent entertainment and food served. Only problem encountered was with the free messaging which I highly appreciate, but it did not work from iphone to non-iphones.

The internet service I paid for didn’t work at all and the flight crew was not very friendly.

Subject: Formal Complaint: Discriminatory and Unprofessional Conduct – Request for Immediate Action & Compensation Dear [Airline Customer Relations Team], I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding my recent travel experience with [Airline], which was by far the worst I have ever encountered. What occurred was not only unprofessional, but in several instances discriminatory, unsafe, and unacceptable. On the first leg of my trip, I arrived only four minutes past check-in. Instead of making any attempt to resolve the matter, your representative flatly denied me boarding and made me wait while she attended to passengers who arrived after me. By the time a manager intervened, it was too late to board, costing me time, money, and unnecessary frustration. The second leg of my trip (Chicago–San Francisco) raised even more serious concerns. From the outset, it was apparent that the staff—particularly two attendants—prioritized Caucasian passengers while dismissing African American and minority passengers. • When a Caucasian passenger in the exit row refused to comply with federal safety requirements, I, as a first responder, immediately offered to switch seats and assume the responsibility. My offer was blatantly ignored, and instead, a Caucasian passenger seated further up was chosen. This was discriminatory and deeply insulting, especially as I was actively de-escalating the situation that could have delayed the flight further. • During a lengthy tarmac delay of over 90 minutes, passengers were given conflicting and unreasonable instructions that created unnecessary distress and tension. • Throughout the flight, a visibly intoxicated passenger directly in front of me was disruptive, rude to others, failed to comply with seatbelt and electronic device rules, and yet faced no enforcement from the crew. In stark contrast, I was singled out for repeated compliance checks even though I was following every rule. This unequal treatment was so obvious that multiple passengers around me spoke up in my defense. This pattern of behavior demonstrated a clear lack of professionalism, disregard for passenger safety, and discriminatory treatment. I expect far better from an airline of your stature. As a paying customer subjected to this unacceptable treatment, I am formally requesting: 1. A full investigation into the conduct of the staff on both flights. 2. A written apology acknowledging the discriminatory and unprofessional behavior I endured. 3. Appropriate compensation for the distress, inconvenience, and mishandling of my travel. If this matter is not addressed promptly and thoroughly, I will have no choice but to escalate my complaint further, including filing with the U.S. Department of Transportation and sharing my experience through other channels. I trust [Airline] will take this complaint seriously and provide a timely resolution.

Check in was quick and easy during early hours. Flight was on time, and customer services was a plus.

The flight was comfortable with the exit row and great service

Plane was crowded and even when we hit altitude, the plane was hot, not enough air flow.

1. when we went to check in, our 2 first class seats had been CANCELED and the flight was sold out. This was done without our prior knowledge. It was all we could do to restore one first class seat for my wife and I flew economy. 2, Our flight home was scheduled to leave at 10:30 pm. Due to tsunami warnings, the roads were closed and our flight status was uncertain as to whether it would leave as scheduled. It was announced that it would now leave at 11:20 pm and the roads were now open since the tsunami had come and gone. We made a mad dash to the airport and checked in. Delays were announced at 12:30 pm, 1:30 am, 2:30 am and at 3:30 am it was canceled. Since this was a flight due to natural (tsunami) causes, there was no compensation. We were told to return at 1:00 pm the next day and our baggage would be kept on the plane since the same plane was going to leave at 1:00 pm. We had to return to our hotel for the rest of the night. The same plane did not leave at 1:00 pm and our baggage was gone! All in all, it was a miserable performance by UA. Information was hard to obtain and no one knew what was going on and what was going to happen. Hundreds of passengers slept on the floor, chairs, etc. No food and no water was made available to the passengers. It was a situation where UA could care less what was going on. As a one million mile flyer, I had not experienced anything like this before and it was hugely disappointing!

We were told the flight was delayed 5 times, then it was moved to the next day.

The experience with American Airlines was good, although the Philippines Airlines flight was much better (better seats, better food, better entertainment options, overall better). Again, the MIA to LAX flight was fine, but nothing in comparison to the comfort and accommodations of the Philippines Airlines flight from LAX to MNL.

Loved the crew . Absolutely no complaints. Except for luggage lost

Wish some foods provided rather than just biscuit/cookie for flight more than 2 hours

We are too tired and frustrated to comment politely at this point

The flight crew was rude. We were in first class and no one even offered water until an hour after we were in the air. Horrible experience

Great. Quick and quiet and east. The breakfast choices were a welcome surprise!

The stewardess hit me with the food kart twice on the head and didn't say I'm sorry once. The same stewardess gave me a warm Apple Juice with No ice. The Flight was delayed for Departure 6 times, starting from 2:36pm, finally taking off 7:50pm. I was late picking up my child from the sitter by 3 hours.

Did not get the seat I selected and paid for.

My flight was delayed for several hours. Sitting at gate 16 for several hours, I got a text from Kayak the gate changed to 9 before it was announced. Very bad communication at each gate from American Airlines employees. I received 10 notifications of delay from Kayak. My vacation started off horrible! I will write to American Airlines corporate office also.

The plane was freezing and everyone had on their winter coats. I pulled out my sweaters out of my carryon to cover myself and put on an extra pair of socks. They offered NO FREE drinks or snacks on a 6 hour flight. The seats don’t have plugs or charges or any form of entertainment- so I just played my one downloaded game on my phone because I couldn’t sleep because I was too cold. Miserable flight though we landed safely.

It was better than expected. But there were two delays in taking off.

The pilot would speak it was painfully load a d the crew had to know this! Maybe the were hesitant to tell him. It was just a mediocre experience and I was in Spirit first class!

My experience was terrible. They cancelled my flight twice. They kept delaying it and leading me on, acting like the flight was going to go when it never had a chance. I missed out on valuable family time because of spirit and I won’t be flying with them again.

Always comes in handy when I want a quick weekend getaway.

Was supposed to take off 8:00 last night. Got delayed till 8:00 this morning

My luggage didn’t arrive at LAX, so that wasn’t a good experience.

It was a no show, so we got put in hotels for a nite. The A320 plane was very modern and flite and crew (if a pilot shows up were fine). Price was very good.

I was never aware that I had to pay $100 per luggage to them on the plane that are simply carry-ons. This is discriminatory and I’m going to be alerting my entire family and friends and my Instagram following up over 75,000 of this issue and misunderstanding, including mismanaging.

Cheap flight but really uncomfortable. Seat cushions flimsy. Jammed in middle seat when flight is not full. They don’t even give you water

Everything you need to know for your flight from Detroit to California

Information on your arrival and departure airports