$150 Cheap Flights from Des Moines (DSM) to Sacramento (SMF)

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Find available prices by choosing your travel dates.

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

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $150 for one-way flights and $299 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

American Airlines
United
United
American Airlines
United
Delta
United
Delta
American Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Flights from Des Moines (DSM) to Sacramento (SMF)
Origin airport
Des Moines Intl.
Destination airport
Sacramento Intl.
Airlines serving
American Airlines, Delta, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$298
Distance
1482 mi

Des Moines to Sacramento Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Des Moines to Sacramento

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

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

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Des Moines to Sacramento: 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 Des Moines to Sacramento

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 Des Moines to Sacramento in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $150 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 Des Moines to Sacramento 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 Des Moines to Sacramento 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

Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) last minute?
Being spontaneous is an awesome way to travel the globe, but it isn’t always the wisest way to grab a cheap flight. Consider booking your DSM to Sacramento Airport journey in advance rather than waiting till the last minute. Based on flight pricing and demand studies in 2022, we have found that the best time to book domestic flights is between 28 – 35 days ahead of the departure date, and international flights three to four months in advance. Save all that spontaneity for when you arrive at your destination!
What airports do you fly into for Sacramento from Des Moines?
From Des Moines, you can fly into Sacramento through Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF), Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC) and Sacramento Mather Airport (MHR). Be sure to check which hub works best for you before you make a decision. If you go with Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF), it’s around 9 mi northwest of the city center. Use the dough you save when booking your seat with Expedia to visit the city’s well-known sights, such as Sacramento Zoo and California State Railroad Museum.
Can I change the date of my flight from Des Moines Intl. Airport to Sacramento Airport?
Plans can get upended, so Expedia is here to help make amending your trip as easy as possible. To start, find your Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to SMF itinerary through the Expedia Trips portal and browse the ticket rules and conditions about what changes you can make. If you booked in the last 24 hours, some carriers will let you cancel at no cost and book new flights. If you bought your fare more than 24 hours ago, connect with us through our Customer Service portal to see how we can help.

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*Available to One Key members.